Merrill's 2-run homer and Miller's 30th save lead the Padres to a 3-2 win over the Brewers

In a hard-fought contest on Monday night, the San Diego Padres edged out the Milwaukee Brewers with a final score of 3-2. First baseman Jackson Merrill proved to be a key contributor, launching a two-run homer in the seventh inning that helped the Padres cut the Brewers' lead in half. The right-hander's blast came off the bat of starting pitcher Logan Henderson, who threw a 83 mph changeup.

Merrill has been on fire since the All-Star break, hitting nine home runs. The Padres have now won 13 of their last 17 games, putting them a game behind the final National League playoff spot. Starting pitcher Henderson had previously won six straight starts before taking the loss against San Diego. Henderson lasted 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs and five hits, though he struck out seven.

San Diego's reliever Yuki Matsui earned the victory, pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Miller, who already holds the team's NL-leading 30 saves, worked a scoreless ninth inning. Brewers' outfielder Christian Yelich opened the scoring in the second inning with a homer to left field, giving Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Mize, San Diego's starter, pitched well other than the homer, lasting six innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out six.

San Diego cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run by France. The Brewers, with the best record in the majors, lead the NL Central by five games over the Chicago Cubs. Up next, Brewers left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison will face Padres right-hander Walker Buehler in the second game of a three-game set on Tuesday night.