Jackson Merrill's home run helps Padres beat Astros 3-2

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jackson Merrill hit his 17th home run of the season to help the San Diego Padres beat the Houston Astros 3-2 on Saturday night.

Fernando Tatis Jr. walked to leadoff the first inning, Jake Cronenworth singled and Ty France walked to load the bases before Merrill hit into a forceout to take a 1-0 lead.

Merrill hit a 421-foot solo shot off Astros starter Peter Lambert in the third.

Gavin Sheets singled to leadoff the fourth and scored when Tatis reached on fielding error by shortstop Jeremy Peña.

Michael King (7-8) pitched six innings for the Padres and struck out six. He gave up three hits, an earned run and walked one. Mason Miller allowed one run in the ninth and earned his career-high 28th save of the season.

Houston's Taylor Trammell hit a solo shot, seventh of the year, with two out in the second. Yainer Diaz hit an RBI single that made it 3-2 with two out in the ninth, but pinch-hitter LaMonte Wade Jr. grounded out to end the game.

Lambert (8-6) gave up three runs, two earned, in five innings. He allowed five hits, struck out three and walked three.

Astros RHP Cristian Javier (1-2, 6.59 ERA) starts the series finale on Sunday. The Padres have not yet named their starter.

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San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller celebrates after the Padres defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 in a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. jokes with Houston Astros catcher Christian Vázquez during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King works against a Houston Astros batter during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill, right, celebrates with teammate Gavin Sheets (30) after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill celebrates after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Andrew Vaughn singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Saturday night.

William Contreras led off the eighth with a bloop single to center off Jeff Hoffman (6-8). Brandon Lockridge pinch-ran for Contreras and stole second.

After Hoffman retired Garrett Mitchell on a fly to center, Vaughn singled to right. Lockridge made a head-first slide across the plate as the throw from Austin Martin was off line.

Brice Turang went 3 for 4 and drove in two runs for Milwaukee.

Trevor Megill retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his 21st save in 23 opportunities. Trevor Larnach led off the ninth with a fly ball that right fielder Luis Lara caught at the warning track.

Aaron Ashby (13-2) worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning to earn the win. Abner Uribe worked the seventh inning in his 20th straight scoreless appearance.

Milwaukee took an early 1-0 lead when Contreras was hit by a Taj Bradley pitch with the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning. Bradley responded by retiring the next three batters.

The Twins then capitalized on Robert Gasser’s wildness to score three runs in the second.

Gasser hit two batters in that inning and issued a bases-loaded, two-out walk to Ryan Jeffers on a 3-2 pitch inside. Royce Lewis followed with a two-run double to left, extending his hitting streak to 13 games.

The Brewers tied the game when Turang drove in two runs with a bases-loaded, two-out single in the fourth.

Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz left in the fourth inning due to neck tightness.

Minnesota's Kaelen Culpepper was hit by a pitch twice in his second career major league appearance.

Jacob Misiorowski (11-5, 1.63 ERA) pitches for Milwaukee and Connor Prielipp (3-5, 4.75) starts for Minnesota in the series finale Sunday.

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Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis hits a two-run double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Minnesota Twins' Kaelen Culpepper gets hit by a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts during an at bat during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Abner Uribe gestures as he walks to the dugout during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang (2) celebrates with first base coach Spencer Allen (67) after hitting a two-run single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)