SAN DIEGO — Rookie Jackson Merrill homered off Edwin Díaz with one out in the ninth to lift the San Diego Padres to a dramatic 3-2 win on Sunday against the New York Mets and a split of a four-game series between teams in playoff contention.
Merrill drove a 2-0 slider from Díaz (5-2) deep into the seats in right and then started an emphatic trot. He slammed down his bat, pointed to the Padres' dugout and slapped five with Jurickson Profar, who hit a tying two-run shot in the eighth. He pointed to the Padres' bullpen and pumped his right fist as he rounded second and was then greeted by a wild celebration after touching home.