Padres' Jackson Merrill Hits Two Home Runs, Secures Win Over Phillies

Jackson Merrill ignited the San Diego Padres' offense with two game-tying home runs against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, helping secure a 5-4 victory and a series win over Philadelphia. Merrill's performance marked a significant turnaround from a prolonged slump, highlighted by a .094 batting average in the preceding 15 games and mechanical struggles that had challenged his sophomore season. Despite injuries and a dip in offensive metrics like exit velocity and strikeout rates, Merrill's clutch hitting and elite defense continue to underscore his potential as the Padres' franchise cornerstone. Reliever Jeremiah Estrada earned his third save of the season by shutting down the Phillies in the ninth inning, as the Padres relied on a deep bullpen to close out the win. The victory showcased Merrill's resilience and the Padres' depth, setting a hopeful tone for the team's second half of the season. Manager Mike Shildt expressed confidence in Merrill's ability to rebound, which was emphatically realized through his impactful performance against one of the National League's top pitchers.