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San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado achieved a significant milestone by recording his 2,000th career hit during a 6-3 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park on Monday evening.
At 33 years old, Machado showcased his prowess with three hits in the game. His journey toward this remarkable achievement began in the first inning when he connected with Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen, delivering a line drive to left field for his 1,999th hit.
Machado wasted no time in securing his 2,000th hit. In his subsequent at-bat, he sent a hanging breaking ball off the glove of Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, placing him among an elite group of 297 players in Major League Baseball history to reach the 2,000-hit mark.
Additionally, this achievement made Machado the fifth active player to reach 2,000 hits. Notably, he also became the 12th player in MLB history to achieve both 350 home runs and 2,000 hits by the end of his age-32 season.
Following the momentous hit, Machado acknowledged the enthusiastic crowd, tipping his hat while standing on first base. The achievement filled him with pride, though he expressed a desire for a different outcome in the game.
Machado’s 2,001st hit occurred in the eighth inning when he launched a slider into the left field bleachers for a solo home run, marking his 15th home run of the season. This hit reduced the Diamondbacks’ lead to 6-3.
Reflecting on his milestone, Machado remarked, “It’s special and an honor to be a part of that list. Definitely would have wanted the victory, but stepping away from that, it’s pretty cool.”
The seasoned infielder expressed gratitude for achieving this landmark in front of Padres fans. He noted, “Doing it in front of the home crowd definitely is a lot better, and hopefully there’s more to come.”
Machado began his MLB journey with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012, where he amassed 977 hits before his trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18, 2018. With the Dodgers, Machado collected 73 hits before joining the Padres as a free agent on February 21, 2019.
Since joining the Padres, Machado has accrued 950 hits, positioning him fifth on the franchise’s all-time list. The legendary Tony Gwynn, a Hall of Famer, holds the record with 3,141 hits over his illustrious 20-season career.
This season, Machado has continued to impress, earning a spot as the starting third baseman for the National League All-Star team. His batting average currently stands at .293, complemented by 15 home runs and 53 RBIs, alongside his defensive excellence at third base.
As Machado celebrates this milestone, he remains focused on contributing to his team’s success in the remaining games of the season.
In summary, Machado’s 2,000th hit not only reflects his skill and determination as a player but also highlights his importance to the Padres franchise. Fans and teammates alike recognize this achievement as a testament to his dedication to the game.
