Padres Snap Scoreless Streak as Machado Sparks Explosive Cactus League Opener
For months, the conversation around the San Diego Padres wasn’t just about offseason acquisitions it was about how last season came to a crushing halt. A brutal and baffling 24-inning scoreless drought sealed their fate in the National League Division Series.
That painful streak? Consider it officially over.
Manny Machado wasted no time making a statement in San Diego’s 2025 Cactus League opener, obliterating the first pitch he saw sending it soaring 428 feet to dead center off Mariners pitcher Jhonathan Diaz. The two-run blast set the tone for the Padres, who cruised to a 5-2 victory.
And two seemed to be the magic number for both Machado and his squad. In his second at-bat, he again attacked the first pitch, though this time it found the glove of Mariners right fielder Dominic Canzone. Machado finished his day with just two swings, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Newcomer Gavin Sheets also embraced the theme, making his Padres debut with two doubles, finishing 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run. Oscar Gonzalez kept the momentum going, racking up a double of his own and finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI. Eguy Rosario and Mike Brosseau also joined the doubles party.
While the offense was firing on all cylinders, San Diego’s pitching staff was equally dominant. Nine Padres hurlers combined to allow just two runs on two hits while racking up eight strikeouts and issuing only two walks. Bradgley Rodriguez and Francis Peña each notched a pair of strikeouts, helping to silence Seattle’s bats.
Machado’s towering blast was the early highlight, but manager Mike Shildt was more impressed with the total team effort a sign of a balanced, hungry squad eager to put last season’s disappointment behind them.
The Padres will look to build on this strong start when they take on the Athletics on Saturday.
