Glove, glove, face, naked hand! Machado’s catch defies perception

DENVER — There aren’t many baseball gamers who might pull off a catch like that – and a throw like that – in a scenario like that.

Then once more, there aren’t many baseball gamers like Manny Machado.

The Padres’ star third baseman has made his share of excellent defensive performs over a decade plus within the huge leagues. But he could have outdone himself on Saturday afternoon in the course of the Padres’ 3-2 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field.

With the Padres clinging to a one-run lead with a runner on third base within the backside of the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Mike Moustakas lofted a foul pop down the left-field line. Machado ranged towards the wall, slid on the filth, then started juggling the baseball – first off his glove, then once more off his glove and onto his face, then to his barehand.

Somehow, a way, Machado made the catch – and he had the wherewithal to make a pinpoint throw again into the infield, retaining Ezequiel Tovar from scoring.

It was an all-around good day from Machado, who helped lead the Padres to their third straight victory, their first three-game successful streak since May 1. He completed 3-for-5 and was in any other case stable defensively. In the primary inning, he scored from first on a single with some savvy baserunning.