WATCH: $50,000,000 worth Manny Machado hits a record 300th career home run in 6-4 loss against Philadelphia Phillies

On Saturday, in the first game of the doubleheader against the Phillies, Manny Machado became the 157th player in MLB to hit 300th home run.

WATCH: $50,000,000 worth Manny Machado hits a record 300th career home run in 6-4 loss against Philadelphia Phillies

Manny Machado (Pic Credit: MLB)

Baseball is a game defined by its magnificent home runs. Hitting a home run is something every baseball fan dreams of. On Saturday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, Manny Machado accomplished a feat some can only dream about. He recorded his 300th career home run. The San Diego Padres superstar has been red-hot this July and has continued to carry this form. However, his team had to settle for a loss.

The milestone moment came in the first game of the doubleheader. With the game tied at 3-3, up stepped Machado. He worked a 2-2 count against Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm. The Padres slugger was able to get his timing right and connect the ball well to launch a moonshot into the stands. This gave San Diego the lead in the top of the eighth inning.

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However, the Padres were unable to hold on to that lead. In the next inning, the Phillies were able to level the game once again, and take the lead, and eventually win the game 6-4. Machado became the 11th active player and the fourth player this year to reach this milestone after Nolan Arendo, Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez.

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Manny Machado emerging as key leader in Padres’ disappointing season

Manny Machado
Manny Machado (Pic Credit: CNN)

This year, like many other teams, the San Diego Padres have not live up to expectations. The Padres have a great batting lineup with a fierce bullpen and rotation. Somehow, they have failed to make them count. In this barren run, one player that has stood out for them is Manny Machado. The third baseman, too, had a disappointing start to the season, but he is finding his feet again.

Last season, Machado finished as a runner-up in the National League MVP race. He might not make it to the list this year, but his numbers are starting to grow when the Padres need him. The 31-year-old’s 17th home run of the season turned out to be his 300th career home run, thus made him the 157th player to accomplish this historic feat.

Machado is batting with an average of .260 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs this year. As the Padres continue to struggle, his form is going to be crucial in the upcoming days. The team is currently 44-48 in fourth place. If they are unable to turn things around quickly, then the Padres face the unwanted scenario of an early elimination from the post-season race.

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