Jackson Merrill robs home run, then delivers walk-off hit during Padres' improbable ninth-inning comeback
Jackson Merrill made the two biggest plays in the Padres' wild, walk-off win.
After a tremendous rookie season, San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill looking like a future superstar. But an injury-riddled second year clouded that projection, casting doubt on Merrill’s ability to reach that ceiling. Eighteen games into his third season, and it looks like the rookie version of Merrill is back.
Merrill turned in a fantastic performance during the Padres’ 7-6 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, robbing a home run and delivering the walk-off hit after the team staged a relentless ninth-inning comeback. Merrill’s first game-defining play came back in the third inning. With the Padres already trailing 2-0, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez looked to add to that deficit by driving a ball out to deep center field.
Merrill tracked it, timed his jump perfectly and snagged the ball over the wall to prevent the home run. The Kid just keeps on doing what he does best 🤯 pic. twitter.
com/cnQ0dJQdaK — San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 16, 2026 After the game, Merrill called it “the best catch I've ever made ,” per ESPN. While it was a great defensive play, no one knew the role it would wind up playing later in the contest. Despite Merrill’s home-run robbery, the Padres found themselves trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning.