Jackson Merrill provides late life, Padres offense manages just three hits in loss
Walker Buehler allows three runs over four innings.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Diego Padres recorded just three hits against San Francisco Giants pitching, but the last hit was the most exciting. Jackson Merrill strode to the plate with one on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Padres trailing 3-0.
He worked the count full and then belted a two-run home run to right field that pulled the Padres within a run. Giants reliever Ryan Walker was able to end the game and help San Francisco get its first win of the season one batter later when Xander Bogaerts grounded to short for the final out of the 3-2 loss for the Padres. First home run of the year by Jackson Merrill!!!
#ForTheFaithful pic. twitter. com/vjXjY7Yqk2 ā San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) March 31, 2026 Merrill was the last San Diego batter to record a hit in the game, but the list of players to record hits in the game only had two more names on it.
Bogaerts recorded the first Padres hit in the bottom of the second inning with a one-out single to right field. The second hit of the game for San Diego belonged to Fernando Tatis Jr. who also had a one-out single to right field, which came in the bottom of the sixth inning.