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Rookie Jackson Merrill delivers a walk-off home run off Díaz securing a dramatic 3-2 victory for the San Diego Padres over the New York Mets.
Rookie Jackson Merrill hit a home run off Edwin Díaz with one out in the ninth inning, leading the San Diego Padres to a dramatic 3-2 win over the New York Mets on Sunday. This victory allowed the Padres to split the four-game series between the two playoff-contending teams.
Merrill crushed a 2-0 slider from Díaz (5-2) into the right-field seats and then began an enthusiastic trot around the bases. He slammed down his bat, pointed towards the Padres’ dugout, and high-fived Jurickson Profar, who had tied the game with a two-run home run in the eighth inning.
As Merrill rounded second base, he pointed towards the Padres’ bullpen and pumped his right fist. He was greeted by a lively celebration when he crossed home plate.
This home run was Merrill’s 19th of the season. The 21-year-old rookie is competing with Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes for the NL Rookie of the Year award.
Profar praised Merrill, saying, “He’s that guy. He has it. Every time he steps up to the plate like that … everyone in the dugout called it.” Jake Cronenworth struck out just before Merrill’s home run.
Jackson Merrill hits home run in the 9th inning
When asked about the walk-off homer, Merrill downplayed his own achievement, saying, “Same thing as every day we win: We won the game. That is what it felt like. Any thoughts on myself, or anything, that’s all for the team.”
Before Merrill went to the plate, Cronenworth gave him some advice.
“I’m trying to be more in the zone, swinging at better pitches, and him telling what was happening with the pitches, it helped,” Merrill said.
Merrill was a highly regarded shortstop prospect when the Padres moved him to center field during spring training.
This change was made to cover the spot left by Trent Grisham, who was traded to the New York Yankees along with Juan Soto in a major deal last December. Merrill made the opening day lineup and has impressed with both his batting and fielding.
Profar, who is having a standout season at age 31 on a $1 million contract, said, “I’ve said it a lot of times, since I stepped on the field with him in spring training, he showed me that he’s that type of guy.”
Merrill said high-fiving Profar “was cool. But we’re here for each other. It’s not just one person that did it.”
This was Merrill’s second walk-off home run. The Padres have now had 33 comeback wins and eight walk-off victories.
Robert Suarez (8-1) pitched a perfect ninth inning to get the win.
The Padres defeated the Mets for only the second time in seven games this year.
Profar said, “It was big. They’ve been beating us. We got swept over there in New York and they were on the brink of winning another series against us. We had to win this one.”
