The San Diego Padres scored in a variety of ways on Sunday, tying a 4-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 9-2 win.

Manny Machado hit two RBI-doubles, driving in four runs. Luis Arráez added an RBI double that scored two. Elias Díaz drove in a run with a squeeze bunt.

The scoring outburst came after the Padres were held to just three runs in the past two games. San Diego scored those three runs on Saturday night in a 3-1 win. The Padres were shut out 3-0 on Friday night.

Machado gets his revenge

Machado was hit twice by Cardinals pitchers on Saturday. The second hit by pitch caused both dugouts to clear for a second straight night. During the scuffle, Machado had words with former Padre Jon Jay, a current member of the St. Louis coaching staff.

Machado hit his first double in the top of the first inning. He hit a line drive to right center that allowed Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Arráez to score. Jackson Merrill drove in the game’s third run in the third inning on a fielder’s choice. San Diego led 3-0 after three.

Manny gets the game going! pic.twitter.com/v71oIG1pKU

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 27, 2025

He hit another RBI-double  in the top of the fourth, driving in two more runs. Machado finished the day 4-for-5 with two doubles and two singles.

Padres use variety to score four in the fourth

San Diego broke the game open in the fourth inning. Elias Díaz got the scoring started with a squeeze bunt that scored Gavin Sheets. Two batters later, Arraez hit an RBI single to left, scoring one. Next came Machado’s second RBI double.

The Padres sent eight batters to the plate in the inning. Diaz’s squeeze bunt was the Padres’ league-leading 32nd sacrifice hit this season.

Xander Bogaerts added a home run, his seventh of the year, in the seventh to give the Padres an 8-2 cushion.

Trade Deadline looms

The MLB Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, in just four days. The Padres are linked to several players as they seek to upgrade in left field and behind the plate. Padres GM AJ Preller is rumored to have checked in on Luis Robert, Jr., Ramon Laureano, and Steven Kwan, to name a few.

With less than 96 hours to go before the July 31 deadline, no moves have been made. It’s been suggested that No. 1 prospect Leo De Vries (MLB No. 3) is the only untouchable prospect in the farm system. No. 2 prospect Ethan Salas (MLB No. 20) and No. 3 Braden Nett could be moved in the right deal.

Sheets currently rotates between left and DH in the lineup. The Padres’ other left field options are Bryce Johnson and Trenton Brooks. Johnson has a .773 OPS and 123 wRC+, but just 39 plate appearances. Brooks has a disappointing .443 OPS in 43 plate appearances.

Preller is shopping Dylan Cease as he looks to upgrade the Padres’ lineup. Cease leads the pitching staff with 144 strikeouts and 11.4 K/9. Other teams looking to add a starter are likely to inquire about a trade.

The Padres cling to the third Wild Card in the National League. They hold a one-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds. The San Francisco Giants are just two games back.

Mike Ursery

Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.