Manny Machado blasts two HR's as Padres best Braves

Published: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 2:26 am

Machado's Power Fuels Padres Past Braves in Series Tie

Manny Machado's two-homer performance propelled the San Diego Padres to an 8-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, evening the four-game series at one game apiece. The win marks the Padres' fourth victory in five matchups against the Braves this season.

Machado, who also homered in the previous game, continued his hot streak by connecting for solo shots in the fifth and sixth innings. His blasts, traveling 412 feet to left field and 418 feet to center, were key to the Padres' offensive output. The veteran slugger has now hit 22 home runs and maintained a streak of reaching base safely in 12 consecutive games.

The Padres' offense was further bolstered by home runs from Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis Jr. delivered a towering 474-foot shot in the eighth inning, the longest home run recorded in the major leagues this season. Tatis Jr. finished the game with three hits and three runs batted in.

On the mound, Padres starter Walker Buehler overcame an early deficit. After allowing two runs in the second inning, Buehler settled in, striking out Ozzie Albies to end the threat and retiring ten consecutive batters. He ultimately pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and five walks, while striking out three. The Padres' pitching staff limited the Braves to just four hits, though they issued eight walks.

The Braves struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-7 and leaving nine runners stranded. The loss was charged to Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, who surrendered five runs on nine hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. Despite the defensive efforts of the Braves, including a home run-saving catch by Michael Harris II, they were unable to overcome the Padres' offensive surge.

The Padres opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single from Ty France, who extended his season-high hitting streak to nine games. The Braves briefly took a 2-1 lead in the third inning when Jim Jarvis tripled to score two runs. However, San Diego responded with three runs in the fourth, highlighted by Merrill's solo homer and RBIs from Luis Rengifo and Tatis Jr., to take the lead for good.

BNN's Perspective: This was a significant win for the Padres, demonstrating their ability to win on the road and against a strong opponent. Machado's consistent power and Tatis Jr.'s record-breaking blast underscore the offensive potential of San Diego. While the Braves showed flashes of their own, their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and their pitching struggles proved costly. The series remains competitive, and future matchups will be worth watching.

Tags: Manny Machado, home runs, Padres, Braves, Walker Buehler, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Reynaldo Lopez, series, victory

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