San Diego Padres continue their free fall, dropping five straight and nine of their last ten games. The team has scored the fewest runs (231) and owns the lowest batting average (.218) in baseball this season. During their recent nine-game losing streak, the Padres have managed just 17 runs, prompting concerns about their offensive capabilities as they struggle to find consistent production.

Star third baseman Manny Machado admitted to being "frustrated" with the team's performance, telling MLB.com, "People are frustrated. The fans want us to win games. So do we. We're more frustrated than anybody." Machado, hitting a career-low .174 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs, belted a two-run homer Thursday after striking out in his first two at-bats, showing flashes of his potential despite the team's struggles.

The Padres find themselves 7½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West standings. After suffering their second sweep by the Phillies in a week, Machado offered a blunt assessment: "I don't think it can get worse. I mean, there's only one way: Up." The team returns home Friday to face the New York Mets in a three-game series, with many questioning whether their offensive woes will continue into the next matchup.