The San Diego Padres' bats erupted in a decisive 7-1 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night, with Manny Machado delivering the knockout blow. The Padres' third baseman crushed a three-run homer in the sixth inning—his 20th of the season—breaking open a tight game and capping a five-run frame that buried the Mets. Machado finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs, while Jackson Merrill (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Elias Díaz (1-for-3, 2 RBI) provided key run-producing hits in a night where San Diego’s lineup made New York pay for every mistake. The Mets’ bullpen unraveled after Sean Manaea’s solid start (5 IP, 1 ER), with José Butto surrendering five runs in just 1.2 innings as the Padres’ patience at the plate—drawing six walks—proved too much to overcome.

New York’s offense never found its rhythm, mustering just one run despite eight hits, with Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil combining to go 1-for-8 with five strikeouts. The loss drops the Mets further back in the playoff hunt, while the Padres—buoyed by another dominant multi-inning outing from rookie Ryan Bergert (4 IP, 1 ER, 4 K)—continue their push for a wild-card spot. With Machado heating up and the bullpen locking down late, San Diego’s late-season surge shows no signs of slowing.