Manny Machado returns off Clayton Kershaw

SAN DIEGO – When the Padres signed a contract for a record with Manny Machado, it was the biggest step they had made in their bid to topple Los Angeles at the top of the National League West.
Machado needed only one stick against his former club to prove his value for this cause. But

SAN DIEGO – When the Padres signed Manny Machado With a record-breaking contract this season, this is the biggest step they have made in their bid to topple Los Angeles at the top of the National League West.

Machado needed only one stick against his former club to prove his value for this cause. But the six-time defending division champions still have their pole at the top of the NL West. And they will not be eliminated so easily.

In his first career batting against Clayton KershawMachado took his former team-mate down – a first in the second run that plunged Petco Park into a frenzy. But the Dodgers rallied late for a 4-3 win and they took the first shot in a sold-out series at Petco Park.

• The score of the box

Machado's two-stroke shot gave the Padres a quick 2-0 lead and he was not deceived. The ball traveled 437 feet with an exit speed of 111 mph, according to Statcast. Before the match, Machado remembered his stay in Los Angeles with tenderness, but he made it clear that he was focusing on the present.

"I have good memories there and enjoyed my stay there," Machado said. "It will be my first time playing against them, the mentality will remain the same, we have a goal as a team to win a game and to play in the playoffs, we will have to go out and run our stuff. "

Machado did that – and then some – at the bottom of the first one. After falling behind the 0-2 count, Kershaw threw three consecutive shots out of the strike zone. Machado dismissed all three. Then Kershaw tried to get down and enter with a slider, but he left it high on the thigh.

Machado crushed him – his longer circuit as Padre, with his highest exit speed as Padre too.

For the most part, Machado started the season slowly (although his glove work was excellent). He came into play Friday with a .709 average, well below his career average.

But his home race Friday night came at a very opportune time. The Padres have spent the last ten years chasing the Dodgers in the West of the National League. They have started to change things this season, but they have not faced their rivals yet. This weekend should provide a perfect test for the Padres, who are enjoying their best start in nine years.

"It's a great ball club out there, so it will be a fun series," said Machado, "they're up there, so we'll go out there and do everything possible to beat the summit." "

He did his part.