Manny, Padres trying to hit their way out of offensive funk

CHICAGO -- The Padres’ offense hasn't lived up to the expectations so far, especially at the top. So before Thursday’s series finale, San Diego made several lineup changes, including moving Manny Machado down to fifth in the order.

Machado’s bat finally came alive in his first plate appearance -- as he knocked his second home run of the season -- but the Padres' bats still stalled in a 5-2 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

“We lacked offense is what we’ve seen to this point, especially with the group that we have,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Everybody knows that. We’re still in a semi-small sample size, but we expect to do better.”

The All-Star third baseman was one of many lineup changes for the Padres in this game.

Jake Cronenworth moved to the leadoff spot, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto moved down one spot to second and third, respectively, Xander Bogaerts stayed at four, and then Machado moved to fifth.

It was the first time since May 6, 2015, that Machado started a game that low in the lineup.

“I was just trying to shake it up a little bit today,” Melvin said. “I love our lineup with Tatis leading off and Juan two, Manny three, Bogaerts four, and I think that’s where we’ll settle in. But we were just trying to shake it up a little bit today and see if a change of scenery helps us offensively.”

The change of scenery helped Machado as he connected on a hanging sweeper for a solo shot in the second inning. He then tallied another single in his next at-bat in the fourth. The third baseman also stepped up to the plate with a chance to do damage in the eighth with San Diego down four runs. But he flew out to deep left-center with runners on first and second.

The lineup change was an attempt to help jump-start a talented offense that has been underperforming this season, and Machado was on board with it.

“We’re just trying to win,” Machado said. “It doesn’t really matter, whatever it is to get us going offensively. We as hitters, as a team, as baseball players, we just get into that routine of just seeing the same thing and doing the same thing every single day, so changing up the lineup like that kind of just mixes things up, loosens up the mojo and changes up everything.”

Machado’s start to the season has been disappointing. He’s hitting just .225 so far, with 24 strikeouts in 102 at-bats, while his average exit velocity (88.6 mph) is down to begin the year.

San Diego surely hopes his 2-for-4 day on Thursday -- which saw Machado connect on three balls with exit velocities over 96 mph -- will get him and the team going.

“Keep working, that’s all I’m going to keep doing,” Machado said. “Keep working, trying to get better every single day.”

Machado is just one of many Padres players who have been in early-season offensive struggles. Soto, who is batting just .183, is another. But the left fielder is adamant about trying to hit his way out of the slump.

“Juan wants to swing his way out of this thing, and he feels like the best way to do that is playing these games,” Melvin said pregame Tuesday. “I’m very confident and I appreciate that’s how he feels.”

With Machado and Soto slow out of the gate, the Padres have been underachieving on offense. As of the end of Thursday's contest, their .215 team average ranked as the lowest in all of baseball.

With Machado and Soto slow out of the gate, the Padres have been underachieving on offense. As of the end of Thursday's contest, their .215 team average ranked as the lowest in all of baseball.

San Diego is also 38-for-200 (.190) with runners in scoring position this season, worst in the Majors. The Padres went 3-for-24 in that scenario during this series, including 0-for-6 in Thursday’s loss.

“We’re one hit away from being in this game,” Melvin said. “It’s a little frustrating that we’ve had a lot of these spots here and haven’t been able to come through with the type of hitters that we have.”

The season is still early, and the Padres have all the offensive talent at the top to turn it around. It’s been a disappointment so far, but if Machado can get hot, the club knows just how dangerous he can be with his bat.

“Homer always gets you in a little better spirit, and then [he] backs it up with a hit the other way,” Melvin said. “So, I think we’re starting to get in a good spot with him."