Jackson Merrill's clutch 9th-inning double wasn't enough as the Padres' rally fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Marlins on July 23. Read how the rookie shone.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'almost' night in Miami. Down to their final outs, the Padres roared back to life in the ninth inning, turning a quiet evening into a nail-biter. Sparked by a leadoff walk and a double, rookie sensation Jackson Merrill stepped up and delivered a laser two-run double, pulling San Diego within a single run. The comeback fell just short in the 4-3 loss, but the fight showed the heart of this 55-46 ballclub.
Jackson Merrill's clutch two-run double was his 15th RBI in July, cementing his status as one of the league's most impactful rookies.
The final frame was pure baseball theater. After a relatively quiet night at the plate, the Padres' offense woke up against Marlins closer Ronny Henriquez. Gavin Sheets started the rally with a leadoff walk, followed by a sharp double from Xander Bogaerts. That set the stage for Jackson Merrill, who drove them both in with a ringing double to make it 4-3. The tying run was on second, but Henriquez managed to bear down and secure the final outs, handing the Padres a tough loss. Starter Stephen Kolek battled through 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in a decent but not dominant outing.
If there's one major silver lining from Tuesday's loss, it's the continued emergence of Jackson Merrill. The rookie phenom didn't just get a hit; he delivered in the highest-leverage moment of the game, proving once again that the pressure doesn't faze him. His performance has been a consistent bright spot, especially in July, where he's now driven in 15 runs. While veterans like Manny Machado (18 HR, 60 RBI) provide the steady power, Merrill is providing the clutch spark that can turn a good team into a great one.
With the series tied 1-1, the Padres have a chance to bounce back immediately and claim a series win on the road. They'll send right-hander Dylan Cease (3-9, 4.64 ERA) to the mound for the Wednesday finale. Cease will be looking for a much-needed strong outing to get his record back on track. He'll face a former Cy Young winner in Sandy Alcantara (4-9, 7.14 ERA), who has struggled mightily this season. It's a battle of two talented arms looking to find their form, making for a compelling rubber match to close out the series in Miami.
While the sting of a one-run loss lingers, the Padres have no time to dwell on it. The focus immediately shifts to Wednesday's series finale. With Dylan Cease on the hill and a chance to leave Miami with a series victory, the team has the perfect opportunity to erase last night's heartbreak and continue their push in the standings. Let's see if they can finish the job.
