Subscribe
Follow Us
The San Diego Padres are charging forward in the NL West standings, and on Wednesday night, a surprising spark behind their momentum came from inside their own dugout. During their 8-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, Manny Machado's home run wasn't just another highlight—it came from a pre-game tip from veteran pitcher Yu Darvish, showcasing a rare form of clubhouse chemistry that could be crucial in the Padres' pursuit of a deep October run.
The third-inning blast was Machado’s 21st of the season and his first of August, snapping a cold stretch that had seen him hit just .227 with no homers in 66 at-bats this month. Facing a 3-0 count against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp, Machado crushed a 91.1 mph sinker 425 feet to left-center, giving the club a 3-0 lead. But it was his reaction—pointing to Darvish in the dugout—that turned heads.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) after speaking with the veteran slugger who described the moment following the game.
“Manny Machado told me he pointed into the Padres dugout after his 3rd inning home run to thank Yu Darvish for the hitting advice he’d shared before the game. Manny said Darvish is one of the smartest teammates he’s ever had.”
The gesture was more than symbolic. Darvish, known for his cerebral approach to baseball, is widely respected for his analytical breakdowns and attention to detail. Despite being a pitcher, his understanding of hitter tendencies has earned admiration in multiple clubhouses throughout his MLB and NPB career.
The advice remains undisclosed, but speculation suggests it may have involved pitch sequencing or approach in hitter’s counts—an area where the 39-year-old has long excelled. The advice clearly paid off, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Padres, now 71-56, sit just one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings, having closed a gap that was once 8.5 games earlier in August.
The win not only tightened the race but highlighted how even subtle, behind-the-scenes interactions can shape the outcome of high-stakes games. With 35 games left in the season, every win matters, and performances like Machado’s—sparked by a teammate’s input—can shift momentum in a competitive NL playoff race.
As San Diego looks to end a division title drought dating back to 2006, internal collaboration like this may be as vital as talent. The next few games will reveal whether Machado’s breakout marks a full resurgence—and whether Darvish continues offering unexpected contributions from beyond the mound.
