Jackson Merrill, Ty France notch series win for Padres
MLB.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The Padres have won two straight games, closing the gap with the Marlins in the NL playoff race, both teams now sitting at 52-53, and have moved within three games of the final NL Wild Card spot after the Diamondbacks lost.
- San Diego faces seven winnable games before the August 3 Trade Deadline, including a game against Miami and a six-game homestand versus the Rockies and Giants, which could influence their direction at the Deadline.
- The Padres have struggled recently, posting a 21-32 record since May 25, the worst in the National League, highlighting the need for rotation help, but they must prove their current roster's value to acquire trades.
- Manager Craig Stammen is adapting by using a bullpen-focused strategy with starters-turned-long-men covering multiple innings, exemplified by a combined six innings of one-run ball from Randy Vásquez and JP Sears in a recent game.
- Jackson Merrill appears to be regaining form after a slow start to the season, hitting .288 with a .864 OPS in July, contributing key hits and defensive plays that helped the Padres in their recent victories.
