The San Diego Padres are charging forward in the NL West standings, and on Wednesday night, a surprising spark behind their momentum came from inside their own dugout. During their 8-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, Manny Machado 's home run wasn't just another highlight—it came from a pre-game tip from veteran pitcher Yu Darvish , showcasing a rare form of clubhouse chemistry that could be crucial in the Padres' pursuit of a deep October run.

The third-inning blast was Machado’s 21st of the season and his first of August, snapping a cold stretch that had seen him hit just .227 with no homers in 66 at-bats this month. Facing a 3-0 count against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp, Machado crushed a 91.1 mph sinker 425 feet to left-center, giving the club a 3-0 lead. But it was his

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