San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado took full responsibility for his offensive struggles after a 3-0 shutout loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at Petco Park.
The defeat dropped San Diego to a 31-22 record, keeping them second in the National League West.
The Padres lineup went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and extended their hitless streak in those situations to 25 consecutive at-bats across recent games, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Machado finished the game 0-for-4, which included a bases-loaded strikeout with nobody out in the first inning and an inning-ending double play in the third inning.
The 33-year-old infielder is playing in the fourth season of an 11-year, $350 million contract that yields an annual salary of $31.8 million through 2033.
Through 51 games this season, Machado is batting . 170/.
265/. 330 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs, posting a .
595 OPS that ranks near the bottom of all qualifying Major League Baseball hitters.
His slump worsened in May, where he recorded a . 108 batting average alongside four home runs and nine RBIs.
Machado Accepts Blame
"We're scuffling as an offense, obviously," said Machado. "It doesn't help that your star player leaves six on base.
There goes the game. I don't really think it's anybody else."
"You get a hit there, even drive in one run (by hitting) a ground ball, double play. Should have done that in the first inning.
The game changes a little bit there," he added.
The veteran third baseman expressed confidence that his performance would improve soon despite his current analytical metrics showing a minus-5.53 Run Expectancy (RE24) according to Baseball-Reference.
"It's coming," said Machado. "I'm a click away.
Just need one to fall. They'll start coming."
Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo earned the win by throwing six scoreless innings and scattering five hits, despite facing an early threat from the San Diego lineup.
"It was a great visit at the time," said Luzardo. "He came out and was like, 'Just limit the damage.
Don't try to put up a zero,' which ended up happening."
The Padres, who have dropped two consecutive matchups, scheduled their next game against the Phillies for Tuesday night to avoid a series loss.
