Manny Machado made headlines during Thursday’s Spring Training game, showcasing his power with two dramatic home runs. Trailing the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 in the top of the third inning, Machado stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run homer to left field, tying the game at 3-3. However, the Reds responded with a six-run explosion in the bottom of the fifth, putting the Padres in a tough spot. Yet Machado wasn’t done; in the top of the sixth, with the bases loaded, he delivered a grand slam to center field, leveling the score again at 9-9. Ultimately, Cincinnati managed to edge out San Diego, clinching an 11-10 victory at Goodyear Stadium in Goodyear, Arizona.

While the Reds celebrated their win, Machado’s performance stole the spotlight for the Padres. He was not alone in the offensive surge, as Sung-Mun Song recorded his first hit in Major League Baseball, connecting with a 96.5 mph cutter from Cincinnati reliever Graham Ashcraft to kick off the six-run top of the sixth. This hit marked a significant moment for Song, who had recently acknowledged the need for time to adjust to the velocity of major league pitching. In addition to his hit, Song also drew two walks during the game.

Despite the offensive fireworks, Nick Pivetta’s start for San Diego went somewhat unnoticed. The right-hander, who was the ace of the staff in 2025, pitched two innings, allowing three runs on three hits, with two walks and a strikeout. Play-by-play announcers Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn Jr. noted that Pivetta appeared to be working on specific pitches during his outing, suggesting that this was more about preparation than performance.

Padres pitchers Miguel Mendez and Justin Yeager faced challenges as well, contributing to the Reds’ scoring frenzy. Mendez struggled through just 0.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits, coupled with two walks and a strikeout. Yeager, called in to finish the inning, allowed two more runs on two hits, along with a walk and a strikeout.

In addition to Machado and Song, several other Padres players made their mark, with Nick Solak, Gavin Sheets, Anthony Vilar, Marcos Castonon, Clay Dungan, and Rodolfo Duran all recording hits. Duran stood out with two hits, including a solo home run that opened the top of the third inning.

Looking ahead, the Padres will head to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to face the Colorado Rockies on Friday at 12:10 p.m.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.