SAN DIEGO — Jackson Merrill made a hovering catch over the center-field fence to rob Julio Rodriguez of a house run, however he stored his very best for remaining.
Merrill hit a walk-off two-run double to cap San Diego’s five-run 9th inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 7-6 on Wednesday evening for his or her 7th win in a row.
The Padres, who’ve gained 10 in their remaining 11 video games, have 3 walk-off wins throughout their present successful streak.
“We attempt to inform the fellows on a daily basis, it is not ‘if’ we are going to win, however it is ‘who is going to be the hero?'” Padres supervisor Craig Stammen mentioned. “This night, it was once Jackson.”
It was once the Padres’ first win after getting into the 9th inning trailing through four-plus runs since June 14, 2019.
“That’s what a excellent staff does,” Merrill mentioned. “They do not surrender till the very remaining out.”
Mariners reliever Andres Munoz (2-2) got here on to start out the 9th and loaded the bases ahead of Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a pinch-hit sacrifice fly. Luis Campusano and Ramon Laureano adopted with two-out RBI singles that made it 6-5.
Jose A. Ferrer changed Muñoz and, 5 pitches later, Merrill hit a line force to left subject that ended it.
“I simply more or less threw the barrel at it and prayed,” Merrill mentioned.
Within the 3rd inning, Rodriguez hit a deep fly to middle, however Merrill timed his soar completely and stretched his glove simply a long way sufficient to make the highlight-reel catch and erase what would were a two-run house run.
“100%, that is the most efficient catch I have ever made,” Merrill mentioned.
Added Stammen: “Play of the sport. That saved us in it.”
Alek Jacob (1-0) got here on to start out the 8th and pitched two scoreless innings for his 2d profession win. Starter Randy Vasquez gave up 4 runs and 5 hits in 4 innings. He walked 4 and had six strikeouts.
Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer within the 6th. The 33-year-old shortstop has 200 profession house runs, 45 in his three-plus seasons with the Padres.
Bogaerts, Laureano, Merrill and Gavin Sheets had two hits apiece.
Luke Raley hit a two-run house run, doubled and completed with a career-high 4 hits for the Mariners.
Seattle starter Emerson Hancock allowed two runs and had six strikeouts in six innings.
Dominic Canzone and Brendan Donovan each and every drove in two runs for the Mariners.
Randy Arozarena singled and stole 2d base ahead of Raley’s two-run shot made it 6-0 within the 5th.
Arozarena, who additionally doubled, scored thrice.
The Related Press contributed to this document.