A visiting broadcaster had called him “bush league.” He’d collected six singles in his first 27 plate appearances. Outside of the supporting cast willing the team to its first wins and a handful of defensive gems, Manny Machado’s first week in San Diego provided little to write home about.
One loud swing Wednesday afternoon amended the script.
Machado, the Padres’ $300 million man, yanked reliever Matt Andriese’s 0-2 fastball down the line in left field in the seventh inning for a two-run shot that helped secure a 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks and a 4-3 season-opening homestand.