Merrill Dominates Offense
Merrill provided the decisive offensive spark for the San Diego Padres, launching three home runs to propel his team to a 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The power display helped San Diego secure the win at Petco Park in front of 33,276 fans.
Merrill’s first long ball came in the seventh inning, a 412-foot shot to center field that extended the Padres’ lead to 8-2. Earlier, he had tripled in two runs during the third inning and homered to left field in the fifth, driving in France. He added an RBI with an infield single in the eighth inning, bringing up Bogaerts.
Early Inning Action
The Nationals took a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Ruiz homered to right field, measuring 402 feet. However, San Diego responded immediately in the bottom of the frame. Crews singled to right, allowing Nuñez to score, while Wood moved to second and Young to third.
France followed with a single to left, scoring Tatis Jr. and moving Machado to second. Merrill’s triple plated Machado and France, giving the Padres a 3-2 advantage. The lead widened in the fourth inning when Taylor reached on a bunt single to the pitcher. Hays scored on a throwing error by starter Kent, and Tatis Jr. later scored on his own single to left.
Pitching Performances
Washington’s starting pitcher Jackson Kent struggled early, allowing five earned runs over 3.0 innings while surrendering eight hits and striking out two batters. He took the loss, dropping his record to 1-4. Brad Lord pitched 2.0 innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits without walking any batters.
