Manny Machado’s Grand Slam Powers Padres Past Mets 7-4 in Playoff Race Showdown at Citi Field

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

San Diego Padres Triumph Over New York Mets with Manny Machado's Grand Slam

The San Diego Padres emerged victorious over the New York Mets, securing a 7-4 win in an exciting matchup between two postseason contenders at Citi Field. The standout moment of the game came in the fifth inning when Manny Machado delivered a tiebreaking grand slam, propelling the Padres ahead and delivering a crucial blow to the Mets’ playoff aspirations.

Grand Slam Powers Padres’ Offense

Machado's grand slam in the fifth inning was the highlight, giving San Diego a 6-2 lead and marking the first grand slam allowed by Mets starter David Peterson in his 130 major league appearances. Machado finished the game with three hits, including two infield singles, and showcased his offensive prowess when it mattered most.

Ramón Laureano also contributed to the Padres’ power surge, homering for the team and matching his career-best with 24 home runs. Jake Cronenworth added to the run tally with an RBI single. Fernando Tatis Jr. had an impactful night as well, reaching base four times and scoring twice to help San Diego secure the win.

Met’s Late-Inning Efforts Fall Short

The Mets attempted a late-game comeback, highlighted by Juan Soto’s home run—his 41st of the season, equaling his career high. Pete Alonso homered for the third consecutive game, while Starling Marte and Francisco Alvarez also went deep, keeping New York within striking distance. Brett Baty contributed with three hits, but the Mets ultimately could not overcome the Padres' offensive production.

Robert Suarez Secures the Save

All-Star closer Robert Suarez played a pivotal role in clinching the win for San Diego. With two runners on base in the ninth inning, Suarez handled Juan Soto’s hard-hit line drive by deflecting it with his glove and calmly throwing to first base for the final out. This performance gave Suarez his NL-leading 39th save in 44 opportunities.

Key Moment

In the seventh inning, Soto nearly tied the game with a two-run homer off Mason Miller, but his opposite-field drive sliced foul by mere inches. Miller responded by striking out both Soto and Alonso to end the Mets’ threat and preserve the Padres' lead.

Pitching Highlights

Adrian Morejon (12-5) came in for Nick Pivetta with two outs in the fifth for the Padres, retiring all four batters he faced. Mason Miller contributed with 1 2/3 perfect innings, while Suarez closed the door in the ninth. On the Mets’ side, David Peterson (9-6) was charged with the loss after surrendering the pivotal grand slam to Machado.

Playoff Implications

This win keeps the Padres solidly in possession of the second National League wild card, five games ahead of the Mets and two games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets remain 1.5 games ahead of Arizona for the final NL playoff spot, while Cincinnati and San Francisco trail by two games.

Statistical Notes

San Diego snapped a five-game losing streak at Citi Field dating back to April 2023. Soto’s home run keeps him tied with his 41-homer total from his previous season with the New York Yankees. Laureano matched his career high in homers, set with the Athletics in 2019.

Up Next

The series concludes with Mets rookie Jonah Tong (1-2, 8.49 ERA) looking to recover from a rough outing as he makes his fourth major league start. The Padres will send Randy Vásquez (5-6, 3.72 ERA) to the mound, fresh off a career-high nine strikeouts over six shutout innings against Colorado.

In summary

The San Diego Padres rode the momentum of Manny Machado’s crucial grand slam, combined with strong pitching and a resilient offense, to defeat the New York Mets 7-4 at Citi Field. With playoff stakes rising, the Padres strengthened their wild card position, while the Mets will look to rebound in the series finale to keep their postseason hopes alive. Key individual performances from Machado, Laureano, Soto, and Suarez made this game a memorable showdown between two National League contenders.

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