The San Diego Padres closed out their series against the New York Mets on Wednesday afternoon looking to build on a solid win the night before, with a few adjustments in the lineup that caught some attention among fans and observers.

Manager Craig Stammen opted to give third baseman Manny Machado a break from defensive duties for the series finale. Machado had started at the hot corner in the first two games and delivered a strong showing Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a home run in the Padres’ 5-2 victory.

Instead of taking the field, Machado slotted in as the designated hitter while staying firmly in the third spot in the batting order. That move opened the door for Sung-mun Song to handle third base and bat ninth.

The full Padres lineup for the afternoon contest featured Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field, Jake Cronenworth at second base, Machado as the DH, Ty France at first base, Jackson Merrill in center field, Luis Rengifo in left field, Luis Campusano behind the plate, Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, Song at third, and Michael King on the mound.

King, a right-hander, took the ball for San Diego while the Mets countered with righty Robert Stock. The matchup carried extra weight given the Padres’ position in the National League standings.

Machado, now in his 15th major league season and eighth with San Diego, continues to log regular playing time as one of the club’s mainstays. His batting average sits at .217 this year, a figure that has drawn some scrutiny, yet he has still managed to contribute meaningfully with 63 runs scored, 100 hits, 24 home runs and 71 RBIs. His slugging percentage stands at .416 and his on-base-plus-slugging mark at .718.

Those numbers reflect a player who remains productive even when the average lags. Machado’s power and ability to drive in runs have helped keep the Padres competitive through the dog days of summer.

San Diego entered the day with a 68-59 record, holding down the third and final National League wild-card spot. The race remains tight, with the Arizona Diamondbacks sitting two games back and the St. Louis Cardinals three games behind. The Padres also trail the Philadelphia Phillies by just a single game in the broader playoff picture.

Three teams are currently jockeying for those two wild-card berths, and a handful of others still have a realistic shot at climbing into contention. Every game carries added importance as the calendar pushes deeper into August.

Stammen’s decision to shift Machado to designated hitter appeared designed to give the veteran a bit of rest after consecutive starts at third base. Machado’s three-hit outing Tuesday, capped by that home run, showed he still has plenty left in the tank offensively.

Song stepping in at third provided a different look on the left side of the infield. The young player has been working his way into more opportunities, and this start offered another chance to contribute in a meaningful spot.

For Padres fans following the club’s push toward October, the lineup tweak represented a small but noticeable adjustment in an otherwise consistent approach. Machado remaining in the heart of the order ensured the team still had its established power presence available at the plate.

The series against the Mets had already delivered drama, with San Diego bouncing back from the opener to take the middle game. A strong performance Wednesday would secure the series victory and provide a boost heading into the next stretch of the schedule.

King’s presence on the mound added another layer of intrigue. The right-hander has been a reliable piece of the rotation, and matching him against Stock set up a pitching duel that both sides hoped would favor their club.

As the afternoon game approached, the focus stayed squarely on how the Padres would deploy their roster in a tight playoff chase. Machado’s move to DH underscored the balancing act managers face when trying to keep key veterans fresh without sacrificing production.

The Padres organization continues to lean on its core group of experienced players while mixing in younger talent like Song. That blend has kept them in the mix for postseason play despite the crowded field in the National League.

With the wild-card race still unsettled and several clubs within striking distance, San Diego’s ability to manage its lineup carefully could prove important down the stretch.

Machado’s continued presence in the middle of the order, even in a designated-hitter role, offered a reminder of his ongoing value to the team.