NEW YORK -- Manny Machado enjoyed this one. Probably because he knew what it meant.
With the bases loaded and the game tied in the top of the fifth inning on Wednesday night, Mets starter David Peterson left a slider over the heart of the plate. Machado did what he’s done more than any other active Major Leaguer: He hit a grand slam.
As the ball carried toward the left-center-field seats at Citi Field, Machado leaned back -- then held his signature pose for an extra second or two. The visiting dugout erupted. The Padres were en route to a crucial 7-4 victory over the Mets. They are now almost certainly on their way to the postseason.
Then again, on a chilly Wednesday night in Queens, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were already there. This game had all the hallmarks of October baseball.
Machado’s slam, the 14th of his career, was the decisive blow, giving San Diego an early 6-2 lead. But the Mets -- fellow contenders in the National League -- quickly made a game of it. As such, Padres manager Mike Shildt aggressively deployed his bullpen, asking for four outs from Adrian Morejon and five from Mason Miller.
When closer Robert Suarez slammed the door, the Padres found themselves 6 1/2 games up on the Diamondbacks (the first team on the outside of the National League Wild Card picture), after Arizona's loss earlier on Wednesday.
San Diego can punch its ticket as soon as Saturday against the White Sox in Chicago.