Jackson Merrill cleverly interrupts a huge game against Zack Wheeler, Phillies

Jackson Merrill was icy on a plate, stuck in a brutal group of 3 for 42 and search for answers. But on Saturday night in Petco Park, The San Diego Padres’22-year center reminded everything why the Frontrunner for NL Rookie was once in a year.

Dealing with one of the most heavy hands in the game in Fleies Acu Zack Wheeler, Merrill broke out for two games house and three RBI In a dramatic 5-4 padrene victory that Casted series Against the leader of the East National League.

“You almost feel unknown,” Merrill said he was postgam. “It was great to help win the team – in the game that was actually big. Phillies are a good team. To win a series, yes, they felt good. “

His first explosion came in another Inning, turning a 98 mph Fastball from Wheeler and sending to the left-center field to delete the deficit 2-0. That double shots – his first domestic drive of 27. Maja brought Guinea leaves home and gave Padu bad, a lot of needed mitigations are needed.

Jake Cronenvorth followed the double and later achieved the goalkeeper by Martin Maldonado, who deals with threefold Innia and giving San Diego 3-2 lead.

Jackson Merrill Put Padre on your back in Fillies Takedown

In Darvish, which brings his second start to the year, could not keep an advantage. After Phillies filled the base in fifth, Edmundo Sosa delivered a two-way single to regain leadership, 4-3. Still, the Padres manager Mike Shildt held Darvish in to stretch the tone number and preserved Bulpen, noticing a moment – that it would like to be considered to give you into account. “

Merrill is not finished. In the sixth Inning, he jumped on another fast Wheeler – this up in the zone – and crashed it into the right center to tie the game in four. He marked the first time in Wheeler’s career that he allowed a multiple home to do one player in the game. Merrill joined the elite company, becoming only the third player who scored against Wheeler, with Cody Bellingger and Buster Siti.

“The best thing for me, honest,” Merrill said about the wheel facing. “It’s probably the best fastball I’ve ever seen. So it was definitely good Methchup … just competing. Stop thinking about my swing and just compete.”

With Wheeler after six innings, Padres’s offense passed again. Fernando Tatis Jr. It was simply in the seventh and headed for a third at Luis Araez Singles. Manny Machado then delivered a deep slave to the right field, achieving Tatis to start forward on a bag.

From there, patched Padrene Bukls locked things. With high-lever arms inaccessible, Brian Swamps, Vandi Peralta, David Morgan, Yuki Matsui and Jeremiah Estrada combined for 4.1. Estrada, throwing on the third day, did the door for their third savings of the year slammed.

“Outstanding team wins,” Shildt said. “They showed up and get after that.”

Merrill performance, especially against Wheeler, was a huge sign of life. After weeks of mechanical settings and mental stress, left-handed people finally returned as alone.

“I’m just walking into a break, I was a little worried,” Merrill admitted. “So it was good I could see something today.”

With the weakening of the spaces with all the stars, the time Merill could not be better – for himself or for Padre.