Padres Collapse, Merrill Injury: Diamondbacks Win – NBC 7 San Diego
- San Diego – A late-inning meltdown by All-Star closer Robert Suarez cost the Padres dearly,as they fell to the Diamondbacks 8-7 on Sunday.
- Rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert delivered a solid performance in his third major league start, striking out eight over five innings.
- Gavin Sheets sparked a Padres rally in the seventh, leading off with a double.
Padres fall to Diamondbacks After Robert Suarez’s Blown save
Updated June 15,2025
San Diego – A late-inning meltdown by All-Star closer Robert Suarez cost the Padres dearly,as they fell to the Diamondbacks 8-7 on Sunday. The loss, San Diego’s third straight, handed Arizona the series victory despite a strong offensive showing earlier in the game.
Rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert delivered a solid performance in his third major league start, striking out eight over five innings. Though, eugenio Suarez’s three-run homer gave Arizona an early 3-1 lead.
Gavin Sheets sparked a Padres rally in the seventh, leading off with a double. Fernando Tatis Jr.’s single brought home two runs, tying the game at 3-3. Manny Machado followed with a two-run double, putting San Diego ahead 5-3.
The inning ended on a concerning note when Jackson Merrill was injured attempting to steal second base. Ketel Marte’s tag struck Merrill in the head, and the young outfielder was visibly shaken. He walked off the field under his own power. Manager Mike Shildt noted Merrill was “woozy” afterward but offered no further details.
Brandon Lockridge, who replaced Merrill, contributed an RBI single in the ninth, and a Xander Bogaerts sacrifice fly extended the Padres’ lead to 7-3.Despite not being a save situation, Robert Suarez entered the game to secure the win.
Suarez struggled immediatly, allowing three consecutive singles to load the bases. After striking out Corbin Carroll, he induced a ground ball from Ketel Marte. Bogaerts’ throw to first was initially ruled an out, but the call was overturned on replay, keeping the bases loaded and cutting the lead to 7-4.
Geraldo Perdomo then lined a triple into the right-field corner, tying the game at 7-7. Adrian Morejon replaced Suarez but ultimately took the loss. Josh Naylor’s grounder to first led to a high throw from Luis Arraez to Elias Diaz, allowing Perdomo to score the winning run.
What’s next
The padres will look to avoid a sweep on Father’s Day, with Nick Pivetta scheduled to pitch against Merrill Kelly.