Machado 'living a kid's dream' as HR speaks louder than hecklers
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MILWAUKEE -- For seven years, Manny Machado has drawn the ire of Brewers fans.
Each time the Padres’ star third baseman came to the plate on Friday night, the more than 32,000 Brewers faithful in the stands at American Family Field booed him, loudly, as they have done ever since the 2018 National League Championship Series.
In the end, Machado was the one making the most noise. With the Padres clinging to a one-run lead, Machado, while hearing it from the crowd, stepped to the plate to lead off the eighth inning against Brewers reliever Grant Anderson. After falling behind in the count with two strikes against him, Machado swung at an Anderson sweeper and deposited it over the left-field fence for his ninth home run this season, giving the Padres a two-run cushion.
Machado circled the bases to a cascade of boos but with the satisfaction of helping his team win another close game, this time a 2-0 win over one of the NL’s hottest teams. The Brewers had won nine of 10 coming in.
“It’s the same anywhere,” Machado said. “They don’t like to see homers. It’s always enjoyable to go out there and perform and come out with a victory.”
Brewers fans have had it out for Machado since his short time with the Dodgers. He became Milwaukee's postseason villain following a collision with Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar in Game 4 of the 2018 National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said the fans’ heckling more than likely lights a fire within Machado.
"I think it motivates him somehow,” Murphy said. “He's a great player, and it seems like he's done well against us."
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Padres skipper Mike Shildt said whether or not the booing bothers Machado, it doesn’t affect his ability to deliver big hits or make key plays in the field.
“Manny’s human, but he can separate worlds,” Shildt said. “Like Reggie Jackson said, they don’t boo nobodies.”
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Machado has six home runs in his last 14 games. Four of those homers have come in the eighth inning or later. On Friday night, he sent Brewers fans home disappointed.
“He’s Manny. That’s who he is. That’s what he does,” second baseman Jake Cronenworth said. “This probably isn’t the only place that doesn’t like him. I’m sure there’s quite a few others. He’s a good player. And when you come into an opposing team’s park, opposing fans don’t like good players.”
Machado’s home run on Friday night moved him into the top 100 in AL/NL history, tied with Dick Allen. It came a day after the 32-year-old launched the 350th home run of his career in Thursday's series finale versus the Giants at Oracle Park.
“I’m living a kid’s dream,” Machado said. “To be able to be on these lists, it’s just incredible. Humbling, for sure.”
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The Padres pushed across a run on three singles in the third inning before Machado sealed the deal with his eighth-inning homer.
“Manny is chipping in a lot, clearly,” Shildt said. “He’s just taking good at-bats and playing to the MVP-caliber player that he is.”
It marked another win in a tight game for the Padres, who improved to 36-26.
“We had a rough May. To get off on the right foot in June, playing these games, we knew it was going to be a tough battle,” Machado said. “If we want to get to where we want, we’ve got to continue to grow as a team and win these games. That’s what wins championships. It’s been fun to see the team get together and play baseball like we’re capable of playing.”
Padres starter Randy Vásquez held the Brewers without a hit until Sal Frelick’s two-out single in the fourth inning. Vásquez was lifted with two outs and two on in the fifth. Wandy Peralta came on and struck out Christian Yelich to end the threat. Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Robert Suarez finished off the shutout. Suarez notched his 20th save.
Vásquez gave up two hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked four, struck out two and hit a batter in the 78-pitch outing.
“I thought Vásquez more than did his part,” Shildt said. “He played a little Frogger, for you who know what the reference is. He was able to dance around some walks.”