Jackson Merrill powers Padres past Phillies with a rare 2-homer game vs Zack Wheeler

Well, that’s two gut-punches in a row for our Phillies. Jackson Merrill hadn’t homered since May 27th but played villain yesterday, taking Zack Wheeler deep twice and Manny Machado’s sac fly in the 7th was the difference as the Padres edged the Phillies 5-4 on Saturday night.

Merrill joined Buster Posey and Cody Bellinger as just the third player ever to hit multiple home runs in a single game off Zack Wheeler. The first was a two-run opposite-field shot in the 2nd inning to tie things up. The second was a no-doubt solo bomb to right-center in the 6th to tie it again.

The kid picked a hell of a time to break out of a 35-game homer drought.

Zack Wheeler: Not bad, not great

Zack Wheeler, fresh off being named an All-Star (though he won’t pitch due to the timing of his start), wasn’t bad but he wasn’t himself either.

He allowed 4 runs over 6 innings, striking out 6, walking just 1, and seeing his ERA rise slightly. It was only the fourth time in 19 starts this year that he allowed more than two earned runs.

On the board! pic.twitter.com/srRkfd61Of

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 12, 2025

Anotha one pic.twitter.com/FyaQOjyJCJ

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 12, 2025

Edmundo Sosa gave the Phillies a spark in the 5th with a clutch two-out, two-run single to chase Yu Darvish and briefly give Philly a 4-2 lead. Sosa came in for Alec Bohm, who left the game with an injury. No immediate update on his status.

Edmundoooooooooo!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/rVdbb6NtkI

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 13, 2025

The bullpen, once again, couldn’t hold it.

Tanner Banks gave up a single to Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jordan Romano entered just in time to give up the go-ahead sac fly to Machado. That was the game.

The bullpen faltered again. The offense had chances. The Phillies are staring down the barrel of a sweep if they can’t get a win Sunday. The NL East is still up for grabs but wins on the West Coast are never easy.

Phillies will try to salvage the finale on Sunday with Cristopher Sánchez (7-2, 2.59 ERA) on the mound. He’ll face former Phillie and current Padre Nick Pivetta (9-2, 3.07 ERA).

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