San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado slugged his first two home runs of spring training during an 11-10 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday in Goodyear, Arizona. The performance included a 422-foot grand slam that tied the game. Machado is set to join Team Dominican Republic for the upcoming World Baseball Classic after one more game.
In the Cactus League matchup at Goodyear Ballpark, Manny Machado broke out of an early slump, entering the game hitless in seven plate appearances. In his first at-bat, he tied the score with a two-run home run into the left-center-field bullpen. Later, in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and the Padres trailing 9-5, Machado crushed a slider from Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft for a 422-foot grand slam off the batter's eye, tying the game at 9-9. He finished 2-for-3 with a walk and six RBIs.
Padres manager Craig Stammen noted Machado's preparation: "He’s been working with his swing a little bit, getting in the right spot. Today it clicked." Machado, who has taken extra at-bats this spring due to his impending departure, said, "Body feels good. That’s the most important thing. … Just continuing to get at-bats."
The loss marked Machado's final full game before Friday's matchup against the Colorado Rockies, after which he will leave camp to join Team Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic. This will be his third WBC appearance, following participation in 2017 and 2023. He will be accompanied by teammates Fernando Tatis Jr., making his WBC debut after missing the 2023 event due to a suspension for a positive PED test, and Wandy Peralta.
Team Dominican Republic is scheduled for a two-game exhibition series against the Detroit Tigers in Santo Domingo on March 3 and 4. Other Padres players heading to the WBC include Xander Bogaerts for the Netherlands, Mason Miller for the USA, and Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob for Italy, all departing early next week. Stammen described the opportunity: "It’s an exciting time for them. It’s a tournament, and getting to play for your country -- it’s something that you can’t really replicate here in Spring Training."
Machado expressed enthusiasm: "It’s going to be fun, man. We’ve got a bunch of superstars that are going to go out there and compete and play for our country. There’s no better event, to go out there and put on that uniform, represent your country. A lot of fans support us. To go out there and do it for them, it’s special."
