SAN DIEGO -- The Padres had been looking for a chance to give Manny Machado a rest day. But it’s tricky. They’re in the middle of a playoff push -- looking to clinch a postseason spot in the coming week and still aiming to chase down the Dodgers in the National League West . These games are important.

Machado himself noted as much when asked about the possibility recently. Perhaps he should have taken more of a breather amid the dog days. He had started every game this season. But at this point on the calendar, he wondered if there was a day he could afford to take off.

Turns out, Sunday was just the day.

Even without Machado in the lineup for the first time this season, the offense flourished in the Padres’ 9-6 victory in their series finale against the Rockies at Petco Park. They

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