The Padres beat the Mariners 5-2 on Friday at Peoria Stadium in both teams’ spring training opener. Batter’s box: Manny Machado hit the first pitch he saw halfway up the batter’s eye directly beyond the center field wall.

Manny Machado got straight to business during the San Diego Padres' spring training opener on Friday. Machado took the first pitch he saw deep over the center field wall for a two-run homer off Seattle Mariners left-handed pitcher Jhonathan Díaz.

There is a sense that a still-talented team must make the most of the upcoming season. The urgency is heightened by what unfolded last fall.