Merrill's go-ahead homer lifts Padres past Brewers 3-2

Jackson Merrill's two-run home run in the seventh inning and Mason Miller's NL-leading 30th save led the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night at Petco Park. Trailing 2-1, the Padres mounted a rally when Ty France singled with one out in the seventh, followed by Merrill's 431-foot go-ahead homer off an 83 mph changeup from Brewers starter Logan Henderson. The blast marked Merrill's third home run in as many games and his ninth since the All-Star break, the most in the majors.

The Brewers struck first, with Christian Yelich hitting a two-run homer off Padres starter Casey Mize in the second inning to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Mize recovered to pitch six innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out six. The Padres cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the second on a solo homer by Ty France. San Diego's relief corps—Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, and Miller—combined to shut down the Brewers after Merrill's go-ahead blow, with Miller recording a scoreless ninth to secure his 30th save.

The game concluded when Brewers pinch-runner Brandon Lockridge was thrown out attempting to steal second base by Padres catcher Freddy Fermin. With the win, San Diego improved to 13-4 in its last 17 games and remains one game behind Arizona and Philadelphia for the third National League Wild Card spot. The Brewers, despite holding the best record in the majors, suffered the loss in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park.