BERNIE WILSON

AP Sports Writer

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill watches his walkoff solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Brandon Sloter)

Rookie Jackson Merrill hits walk-off homer off Díaz to give Padres a dramatic 3-2 win over Mets

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 against the New York Mets and a split of a four-game series between teams in playoff contention.

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Jeff McNeil (1) after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Brandon Sloter)

Francisco Lindor’s grand slam and solo shot carry the Mets to a 7-1 win vs the Padres

Francisco Lindor hit a two-out grand slam in the fourth inning, two batters after Manny Machado committed an error, and added a leadoff shot in the seventh to carry the New York Mets to a 7-1 win against the San Diego Padres.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove tosses the ball with his glove to first baseman Jake Cronenworth for the out on New York Mets' Francisco Lindor during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Joe Musgrove shuts down the Mets with his arm and glove as the Padres win 7-0

Joe Musgrove allowed just one hit in seven brilliant innings and made a terrific defensive play to lead the San Diego Padres to a 7-0 win against the New York Mets that evened a four-game series between teams in playoff contention.

San Diego Padres's Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates in the dugout after a single by teammate David Peralta during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Sidelined Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. says he’s ‘definitely playing baseball the next month’

San Diego Padres star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. took batting practice on the field and says he expects to return in September from a stress reaction in his right thighbone that has sidelined him for two months.

New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino, right, talks with catcher Francisco Alvarez as they walk back to the dugout at the end of the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Luis Severino outduels Dylan Cease as Mets beat Padres 8-3 in opener of key 4-game series

Luis Severino outdueled Dylan Cease and the New York Mets beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 in the opener of a four-game series between NL playoff contenders.

San Diego Padres' David Peralta, right, celebrates after hitting a three-run home run as Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia, left, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

David Peralta hits a homer and robs another as the Padres beat the Rockies 10-2 for a series win

David Peralta hit a three-run home run an inning after robbing Sam Hilliard of a shot and the San Diego Padres beat Colorado 10-2 for their first series win against the lowly Rockies in three tries this season.

San Diego Padres' Xander Bogaerts hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Bogaerts his go-ahead single and Pérez shines in his Padres debut, a 3-2 win over the Rockies

Xander Bogaerts hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and Martín Pérez pitched six strong innings in his debut for the San Diego Padres, who beat Colorado 3-2 to snap a five-game losing streak to the last-place Rockies.

Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant singles during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Bryant hits go-ahead, two-run single and the Rockies beat the Padres for the 5th straight time, 5-2

Kris Bryant hit a go-ahead, two-run single with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and the Colorado Rockies beat San Diego 5-2 for their fifth straight win against the Padres.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Padres rough up Kershaw while Cease holds Dodgers in check in San Diego’s 8-1 win

San Diego’s Dylan Cease held the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers in check in his first start after throwing his first career no-hitter and Clayton Kershaw lasted only 3 2/3 innings in his second start of the season as the Padres won 8-1 for a two-game sweep.

San Diego Padres' Donovan Solano, center, celebrates after hitting a walk-off single during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Pinch-hitter Solano delivers winning single in the 10th as the Padres stun the Dodgers 6-5

Pinch-hitter Donovan Solano singled past diving third baseman Kiké Hernández with the bases loaded and one out in the 10th inning inning and the San Diego Padres stunned the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5.

FILE - Hirving "Chucky" Lozano poses with a San Diego FC scarf during an introductory news conference for the new MLS soccer team Thursday, June 13, 2024, in San Diego. DirecTV has signed a multiyear deal to become the jersey partner of the San Diego FC, its first foray into kit sponsorship in MLS while expanding its presence in the local sports market. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

DirecTV signs multiyear deal as kit sponsor for the MLS expansion San Diego FC

DirecTV has signed a multiyear deal to become the jersey partner of the San Diego FC, its first foray into kit sponsorship in MLS while expanding its presence in the local sports market.

In this photo provided by SailGP, Spain SailGP Team competes on Race Day 2 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in in San Francisco, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Ricardo Pinto/SailGP via AP)

Diego Botin steers Spain to SailGP’s $2M championship against heavyweights Slingsby and Burling

Spain’s Diego Botin stunned heavyweights Tom Slingsby of Australia and Peter Burling of New Zealand by brilliantly steering Los Gallos to victory in SailGP’s $2 million, winner-take-all Grand Final on San Francisco Bay.

Delapierre steers French cat toward a spot in SailGP’s $2 million, winner-take-all Grand Final

Quentin Delapierre skippered France to finishes of 1-3-3 in a remarkable performance on San Francisco Bay to move close to advancing to SailGP’s $2 million, winner-take-all Grand Final, the biggest payday in sailing.

Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna celebrates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, July 12, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Ozuna warms up for the Home Run Derby with 2 blasts in the Braves’ 6-1 win against the Padres

All-Star Marcell Ozuna warmed up for the Home Run Derby with blasts of 413 and 422 feet, and Orlando Arcia had a two-run shot for the Atlanta Braves, who beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 for their fifth win in seven games.

Burling and his Kiwi Black Foils are setting a course toward a $2 million SailGP payday

The final day of SailGP’s Season 4 could bring a nice seven-figure payday for skipper Peter Burling and his Team New Zealand Black Foils on San Francisco Bay.

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez watches his home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

J-Rod homers, Raleigh connects twice and Gilbert is brilliant as the Mariners beat the Padres 8-3

Julio Rodríguez went 4 for 4 with a 411-foot home run into the second deck in left field, Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer from each side of the plate and All-Star Logan Gilbert was brilliant for the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners, who beat the San Diego Padres 8-3.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, July 7, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Eugenio Suárez homers, doubles and has 5 RBIs in the Diamondbacks’ 9-1 victory over the Padres

Eugenio Suárez hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning and a bases-clearing double in the ninth in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 9-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, center, leans over as a trainer looks at his leg after an injury during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Christian Walker’s 2-run single in the 10th gives the Diamondbacks a 7-5 win against the Padres

Christian Walker’s two-run single with no outs highlighted Arizona’s three-run 10th and the Diamondbacks won 7-5 against the San Diego Padres, who scored once in the bottom of the inning and then left the bases loaded.

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado celebrates after hitting a game-winning two-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 5, 2024, in San Diego. The Padres won, 10-8. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Profar hits tying HR, Machado belts walk-off 2-run shot, Padres edge Diamondbacks 10-8

All-Star Jurickson Profar hit a tying home run leading off the ninth and Manny Machado walked it off with a two-run shot as the San Diego Padres took a wild 10-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease works against a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Higashioka hits 2 homers, including 1st career grand slam, as the Padres beat the Nats 8-5

Kyle Higashioka homered twice, including his first career grand slam, and Dylan Cease pitched seven brilliant innings for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Washington Nationals 8-5 to sweep a contentious three-game series.

San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar watches his grand slam during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Profar hits a grand slam 5 innings after dustup to boost the Padres to a 9-7 win vs. the Nationals

Jurickson Profar hit a grand slam five innings after being in the middle of a benches-clearing dustup, and Manny Machado also hit a dramatic home run as the San Diego Padres beat the Washington Nationals 9-7 in another wild game between the teams.

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, June 21, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. says he could be out until after the All-Star Game with leg injury

San Diego Padres star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. says he might not return from a stress reaction in his right thigh bone until after the All-Star Game.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Matt Waldron holds his throw to first as Washington Nationals' Joey Meneses, left, makes it to first base for an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Jurickson Profar’s 2-run, 2-out single in the 10th inning gives the Padres a 7-6 win over the Nats

Jurickson Profar’s two-run, bases-loaded single with two outs in the 10th inning lifted the San Diego Padres to a wild 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals. Profar’s hit into the right-center gap bounced over the fence.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers works against a San Diego Padres batter during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 23, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Tobias Myers wins his fourth straight as the Brewers beat the Padres 6-2 to avoid a 4-game sweep

Rookie Tobias Myers continued his terrific June by winning his fourth straight start and Blake Perkins highlighted a five-run second inning with a two-run single as the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 to avoid a four-game sweep.

In this photo provided by SailGP, Peter Burling, Co-CEO and driver of New Zealand SailGP Team, lifts the trophy as the team celebrates aboard their F50 catamaran after winning the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix in New York, Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Bob Martin/SailGP via AP)

Burling skippers Kiwis to New York regatta win and clinches spot in SailGP’s $2M Grand Final

Peter Burling and the New Zealand Black Foils sailed a flawless podium race on the Hudson River to win the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix and clinch a spot in SailGP’s $2 million, winner-take-all Grand Final in San Francisco next month.

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill tosses his bat as he watches his three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, June 22, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Rookie Jackson Merrill hits a 440-foot, 3-run homer in the Padres’ 6-4 win over the Brewers

Rookie Jackson Merrill hit a 440-foot, three-run homer to the base of the batter’s eye in center field and had a bat flip to match as the San Diego Padres beat the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 for their fourth straight win.

In this aerial image provided by SailGP, the fleet races at the start of Fleet Race One, with a view of the Statue of Liberty in the distance, on Day 1 of the New York Sail Grand Prix sailing races, Saturday, June 22, 2024, in New York. (Simon Bruty/SailGP via AP)

Robertson skippers Canada into lead of SailGP’s New York regatta on a fickle day on the Hudson River

Phil Robertson skippered Canada’s 50-foot foiling catamaran to finishes of fourth and second in the opening races of the New York Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on the Hudson River before a dying breeze forced the third fleet race to be abandoned.

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, June 21, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Cronenworth homers and has a career-high 5 hits as the Padres beat the Brewers 9-5, lose Tatis

Jake Cronenworth homered and had a career-high five hits, including a go-ahead single in the seventh, and Luis Arraez hit a two-run homer for the San Diego Padres, who beat the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 for their third straight win.

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, June 21, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Padres’ Tatis leaves game versus Brewers with bruised left triceps after being hit by a pitch

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. came out of a game against Milwaukee two innings after he was hit by a pitch on the left arm. Tatis was hit by former Padres pitcher Colin Rea with two outs in the third.

Lindsey Vonn, second from right, Olympic skiing champion, rides a USA SailGP Team chase boat during racing practice ahead of the New York Sail Grand Prix, Friday, June 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Lindsey Vonn goes sailing with Team USA and joins grinder Anna Weis on the winches

Lindsey Vonn went sailing on the Hudson River aboard a foiling catamaran, enjoying one of the perks of joining the board of directors of the United States SailGP team.