Manny Machado added another piece of San Diego Padres history to his resume Tuesday night, passing Garry Templeton for sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time hits list.
Machado recorded his 1,137th career hit with San Diego during the Padres’ 5-4 comeback victory over the Washington Nationals, moving one spot behind the legendary Tony Gwynn.
The milestone came during another important night for a Padres team fighting to stay in the National League Wild Card race. Machado finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored.
His biggest contribution came in the eighth inning. San Diego entered the frame trailing 4-1 before Machado stepped in with the bases loaded and nobody out.
After an eight-pitch battle against the Nationals’ bullpen, Machado delivered a two-run single to tie the game. Luis Campusano followed with a go-ahead single to complete the four-run rally.
Machado’s historic hit adds another milestone to a career that has already established him as one of the most important players in Padres history. Templeton finished his San Diego career with 1,136 hits, while Gwynn remains far ahead with 3,141.
The 2026 season has seen Machado remain a central part of the Padres’ offense. Entering Tuesday, he had 118 hits, 26 home runs and 80 RBIs across 141 games.
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The victory was also crucial for San Diego’s postseason hopes. The Padres improved to 77-68 and remained within striking distance of the final NL Wild Card position.
With Arizona also winning Tuesday, the Padres could not afford another loss. Instead, Machado helped deliver a comeback that kept San Diego firmly in the postseason chase.
At 34, Machado continues to climb the franchise record book while serving as one of the Padres’ most important players. His latest milestone arrived on a night when his clutch hitting mattered just as much as the history attached to it.
