SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Jackson Merrill homered off Edwin Díaz with one out in the ninth to lift the San Diego Padres to a dramatic 3-2 win on Sunday against the New York Mets and a split of a four-game series between teams in playoff contention.
Merrill gestured toward the Padres’ dugout and slapped five with Jurickson Profar, who hit a tying two-run shot in the eighth, before beginning his trot. He was greeted by a wild celebration after touching home. It was Merrill’s 19th.
Díaz fell to 5-2.
Robert Suarez (8-1) pitched the ninth for the win.
The Padres are in the NL’s second wild-card spot, while the Mets trail Atlanta for the third spot. New York now heads to Arizona for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks, who have surged into the top spot by winning six straight games.
The Mets had taken a 2-0 lead on homers by J.D. Martinez and Mark Vientos.
After the Padres blew a big scoring chance in the seventh, Profar homered to right off José Buttó with one out in the eighth and Mason McCoy aboard on a walk. It was his career-high 21st, and the fifth time he hit a tying homer this season.
Martinez homered to center with two outs in the fourth, his 15th.
Left-hander Martín Pérez then walked the bottom three batters in the Mets’ order to load the bases ahead of Francisco Lindor, who hit a grand slam and a solo shot in Saturday night’s 7-1 win. Manager Mike Shildt summoned Bryan Hoeing, who struck out Lindor.
Vientos homered to center with one out in the seventh, his 21st.
Mets second baseman Jose Iglesias made a sensational play in the sixth when he dove to field Profar’s hard shot and, while lying on his stomach, reached back with his left foot to touch the bag and force Mason McCoy. Lindor, the shortstop, came over and slapped five with Iglesias and hugged him.
The Padres failed to capitalize on a big scoring chance after chasing lefty Jose Quintana in the seventh. Manny Machado hit a leadoff single and Merrill walked with one out, and manager Carlos Mendoza called for Buttó. Pinch-hitter David Peralta hit a ball just foul past third base and then another ball just foul past first base.
While Shildt was hollering at the umpires, Merrill broke for second but over-slid the bag and was tagged out by a diving Lindor on Luis Torrens’ throw. Lindor showed the ump the ball and then slapped the ground four times with his glove and pumped his right fist.
Quintana held San Diego to four hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings.
Pérez allowed one run and four hits in 3 2/3 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: Placed RHP Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list and recalled Huascar Brazobán. Blackburn has a bruised right hand after getting hit by Peralta’s line drive Friday night.
Padres: RHP Yu Darvish threw 54 pitches in a live batting practice session before the game. He said he’ll travel with the team to St. Louis and Tampa, but doesn’t know when he’ll be ready to be activated. He was reinstated from the restricted list on Friday and returned to the 15-day injured list.
UP NEXT
Mets: LHP Sean Manaea (9-5, 3.48 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series at Arizona as New York’s 10-game, three-city trip continues. The Diamondbacks will go with LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.94).
Padres: Haven’t named a starter for Monday night’s game that opens a four-game series at St. Louis, where San Diego manager Mike Shildt will face the team he skippered for three-plus seasons.
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