SAN DIEGO -- In February 2023, when Manny Machado signed an 11-year contract extension that would keep him in San Diego for -- in his words -- the rest of his career, this was always a formality.

Ever since, Machado has been on course to pass Nate Colbert as the Padres¡¯ all-time home run leader. Now, he needs only one more.

• Each team's all-time home run leader

In the Padres¡¯ 5-1 victory over the Giants on Friday night at Petco Park, Machado launched two home runs -- the 162nd and 163rd across his six seasons in San Diego. In doing so, he moved into a tie with Colbert atop the franchise leaderboard.

A member of the Padres¡¯ inaugural 1969 team, Colbert was renowned for his immense power and regarded as the franchise¡¯s first star player. Colbert, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 76, has been atop that leaderboard after every season of the team¡¯s existence.

¡°It¡¯s an honor,¡± Machado said. ¡°Any time you¡¯re part of history, it¡¯s special.¡±

Particularly so, given the way the game unfolded. Machado¡¯s two home runs were part of a complete Padres victory. Michael King pitched six innings of one-run ball on a night the San Diego bullpen absolutely had to have it. That bullpen -- without its three highest-leverage arms available -- nailed down the final three frames with ease.

Essentially, San Diego grabbed an early lead, and Petco Park rocked for nine innings. Machado and the Padres are doing their part to ensure it keeps rocking into October.

¡°This is what I wanted, to do it in front of the home crowd,¡± Machado said. ¡°Because I know they deserve it. To just do it at home makes it that much more special.¡±

With the victory, the Padres moved closer to ensuring postseason baseball in the East Village next month. They extended their lead for the top National League Wild Card spot to 1 1/2 games over the Diamondbacks, who lost in Houston. (That top spot comes with home-field advantage in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.)

Of course, the Padres have bigger goals. The Dodgers lost Friday, too, moving San Diego within four games in the NL West. And while that gap remains relatively sizable with only 19 games to play, the Padres still have three games remaining against Los Angeles (Sept. 24-26 at Dodger Stadium), and they own the tiebreaker.

The only damper on the night came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when rookie phenom Jackson Merrill fouled a ball off his left knee. Merrill remained in the game, but he was replaced in center field two innings later by utility man Tyler Wade. The team said Merrill has a left patella contusion, and X-rays were negative.

"Obviously, relieved that it's negative, and we'll take it day by day, see what it feels like tomorrow," said Padres manager Mike Shildt.

If Merrill¡¯s absence lingers, it would be a setback for a red-hot Padres lineup. He¡¯s making a serious push for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Lately, he and Machado have been the team¡¯s two best hitters.

Machado¡¯s surge has lasted for the better part of two months. He started the season slowly, while recovering from surgery to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. He¡¯s acknowledged that his elbow likely won¡¯t return to full strength until next season.

Still, Machado is clearly in a better place. Since June 19 -- a span of 65 games -- Machado is hitting .304 with 19 homers. It¡¯s no coincidence that the Padres¡¯ 44-22 record in that span is the best in baseball. (Machado did not play on Aug. 12.)

¡°Manny was grinding early on; I don¡¯t think there was any secret in that,¡± Shildt said. ¡°But he never made any excuses ¡­ was good enough to compete -- and compete he did. So he set a great example for the club, to be able to see what it looks like, to answer the bell.

¡°Clearly, we¡¯re a really good team when Manny and our guys are going. He¡¯s a special talent.¡±

Special enough that he has passed every name on the Padres home run leaderboard but one. His first home run Friday moved him past Adri¨¢n Gonz¨¢lez into second place. Last month, he passed Dave Winfield and Phil Nevin. Last season, he passed Tony Gwynn.

¡°Just to be up there with the names that are up there -- you got legends that have played in this organization, [guys] that are in the Hall of Fame,¡± Machado said. ¡°Just to be a part of that, it¡¯s a blessing. It¡¯s special, for sure.¡±