Padres' Jackson Merrill: Slugs two homers in dramatic win

Merrill went 4-for-6 with two home runs, three total runs and three total RBI in Wednesday's 9-8 extra-inning victory over Pittsburgh.

Merrill put the Padres on the board with a 442-foot solo shot in the second inning. The game went back and forth from there, with the rookie outfielder adding an RBI single in the fifth, but the Pirates carried a one-run lead into the top of the ninth frame. Pittsburgh closer David Bednar attempted to hold the Padres at bay, but Merrill tied the score with a one-out solo shot to center field. For good measure, Merrill was also a participant in what turned out to be the game-winning run in the top of the 10th, as his flyout to left field resulted in Xander Bogaerts scoring on an error by Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal. Merrill now has a trio of four-hit performances in a fantastic rookie campaign during which he's posted a .288/.318/.467 slash line, 15 homers, 59 RBI, 54 runs and 11 stolen bases through 112 contests.