Machado joins elite company with 2,000th career hit

Manny Machado has etched his name alongside some very exclusive company after reaching an important career milestone.

The San Diego Padres star recorded his 2,000th major-league hit Monday with a fourth-inning single off Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen at Petco Park.

Machado also became just the 12th player ever to have at least 2,000 hits and 350 home runs before the end of their age-32 season, joining a group that includes some of the greatest hitters in baseball history.

Machado is now the fifth active member of the 2,000-hit club, joining Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Andrew McCutchen, and Paul Goldschmidt.

The 14-year veteran entered Monday's game hitting .288/.351/.474 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs in 89 games. Machado, now in his seventh year with the Padres, was selected to his seventh All-Star Game last week and will be the National League's starting third baseman.