Jackson Merrill delivered a standout performance with two home runs, and Xander Bogaerts played a pivotal role by driving in the go-ahead run with a single during a decisive three-run 10th inning. The San Diego Padres managed to secure a dramatic 9-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
Bogaerts kick-started the 10th inning with a sharp line drive to left field against Pirates pitcher Colin Holderman (3-5), bringing in automatic runner Luis Arraez. The Padres extended their lead with a sacrifice fly from Manny Machado and an error by catcher Yasmani Grandal, which allowed two additional runs to score.
Despite the Padres’ late surge, the Pirates attempted a comeback. Tanner Scott (7-5) issued a bases-loaded walk, and Adrian Morejon, who entered the game with runners on base and no outs, threw a wild pitch. Morejon, who recorded his first career save in this high-pressure situation, reflected on his experience
Just like I’ve said all season, I’m ready for whatever situation they put me in,” said the six-year veteran through a translator. “That situation was a little different than most of the situations I’ve been in, but I just tried to stay calm and get hitters out.”
The Padres, now 13-3 since the All-Star break, entered the game trailing the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers by four games in the National League West. Meanwhile, the Pirates have struggled recently, suffering their third consecutive loss, marking their first losing streak of this length since May 7-10. Their current record stands at 56-57, leaving them below .500.
Merrill’s exceptional game included a 4-for-6 performance with three RBIs. His solo home run in the ninth inning tied the game at 6-6, ending Pirates closer David Bednar’s streak of 19 consecutive saves. Merrill, a rookie center fielder, commented on the game’s intensity: “It was a good baseball game and that’s where I kind of stand on this game,” he said. “I know everybody wants to win games in blowouts, but both teams really wanted this game really bad. I appreciate a game like this from both our standpoint and (the Pirates’) standpoint.”
In the eighth inning, with the Pirates ahead by one run and runners on second and third, Aroldis Chapman delivered a 104.7 mph pitch to strike out Machado, ending the threat. Following the strikeout, Chapman and Machado shared a tense moment. Chapman, smiling, commented on their interaction: “Just something he told me. And then when he said it, I started laughing,” though he chose not to elaborate further on their conversation.
