PADRES POSTCAST: Merrill's Career Day Powers Padres EXPLOSION- 16 Hits, Sweep of Nationals, WC Tie

Jackson Merrill delivered a career day, the San Diego Padres offense erupted for 16 hits, and the Friars finished off a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a dominant 9-2 victory at Petco Park.

Merrill was sensational, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a triple, two runs scored and a career-high six RBI. His two-run triple gave San Diego the lead in the third inning, he added a two-run homer in the fifth, another homer in the seventh and capped his monster afternoon with an RBI single in the eighth.

The entire Padres lineup joined the party. San Diego finished with 16 hits and went 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position, getting three-hit games from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ty France as the Padres scored in five different innings.

And after Walker Buehler lasted only 2⅓ innings, the bullpen completely took over. Kyle Hart led a dominant relief effort as San Diego’s bullpen threw 6⅔ scoreless innings while allowing just one hit the rest of the way.

The win completes the sweep, moves the Padres to 78-68, and pulls San Diego even with Arizona for a National League Wild Card position before the Diamondbacks play later.