The San Diego Padres sit at 31-22 and second in the National League West, but a 3-0 shutout loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday raised familiar questions about an offense that has squandered opportunities.
San Diego went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and managed just five hits against Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo, who tossed six scoreless innings. Third baseman Manny Machado went 0-for-4, the latest quiet performance in a season full of them. Fernando Tatis Jr. reached base four times with two hits and two walks, but it amounted to nothing without the lineup delivering behind him.
When talking about his performance after the loss, Machado acknowledged what his struggles are costing the team.
"It doesn't really help that your star player leaves six on base," Machado said. "There goes the game. I don't really think it's on anybody else." (Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune)
His directness about his performance is striking but not surprising. Through 51 games this season, Machado carries a .170 batting average with eight home runs and 25 RBI for a .595 OPS. In May, he is hitting .108 with four home runs and nine RBI.
The 33-year-old is in the fourth year of an 11-year, $350 million contract that pays him $31.8 million annually through the 2033 season, making his production one of the most looked at stories in baseball. San Diego built its roster around stars like Machado and Tatis Jr., but their current performances have made them one of baseball's biggest liabilities.
© Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
The Padres have now dropped consecutive games and will look to avoid a series loss when they face the Phillies again Tuesday night at Petco Park. For Machado, the path back starts with the accountability he showed this week. Whether the results follow is the question hanging over San Diego.
