Machado Benched for Crucial Game Against Rockies: Padres Secure Win

Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies posed a challenging predicament for the San Diego Padres. With only a fragment of the season remaining and lagging behind the Los Angeles Dodgers by 2.5 games, the team faced a difficult choice – whether to give Manny Machado, a key player, a break. Even though Machado had taken part in every game until then and was facing minor struggles with his offense and defense, it was a tough call to place him on the bench. Nonetheless, the team made the unusual move of benching him for the final leg in the series.

Following the game, the seasoned player openly discussed his feelings about sitting out. Machado was succinct, emphasizing, ‘We won, that’s all that matters.’ He recognized the value of the team triumph over his personal involvement, also noting how important it was heading into a break with victory on their side. He expressed his unwavering belief in his teammates, confident they could take to the field and give their all in his absence.

For a player as competitive as Machado, being benched initially did not sit well. As the taxing season wore on though, he began to see the hidden benefits. By 2025, an opportunity to rest could be scarce. Following his Sunday’s absent, the Padres had a scheduled rest day on Monday, indirectly offering Machado a full 48 hours break at a critical time of year.

For a seasoned player like Machado, this deserved downtime had a vital significance. However, his absence did not negatively affect the performance of the Padres. The team held its ground, registering a 9-6 victory over the Rockies. Watching the game from the sidelines was, in Machado’s words, ‘pretty fun.’

The team managed an impressive early lead, scoring seven runs before the Rockies could respond. The Rockies made a noticeable effort, slashing the Padres’s lead to 7-6 by the seventh inning. Nonetheless, the Padres secured the win by adding two crucial runs in the eighth inning to make the gap harder to breach for the Rockies.

This respite on Sunday marked the first time Machado had been benched in 2025, and the timing couldn’t have been better. His batting average had dwindled to .170 since the dawn of September and stood at only .206 from August onwards. The break was not only a chance for him to rest and recuperate but also a rare opportunity to experience the game from a spectator’s perspective rather than from the field.

Despite his crucial rest, his team capitalized on his absence and clinched a victory, providing an exhilarating experience for the seasoned third baseman. With the season nearing its end and just 12 games to go—including challenges against formidable teams like the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago White Sox—the final stretch promises to be intense for the Padres.

However, thanks to the strategic decision to bench him, Machado will enter this grueling finale more refreshed than he has been since the All-Star game. His attitude and response to the benching show remarkable spirit and a deep understanding of the importance of rest in maintaining performance over a long season. The respite has invigorated him, and he’ll be looking forward to returning to the field with renewed vigor.