Merrill's 2-run homer and Miller's 30th save lead the Padres to a 3-2 win over the Brewers

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jackson Merrill hit a two-run homer to center field in the seventh inning and Mason Miller earned his NL-leading 30th save to give the San Diego Padres a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

With the Padres trailing 2-1 in the seventh, Ty France singled with one out and Merrill followed with his 19th homer on an 83 mph changeup from starter Logan Henderson (6-2). Merrill has nine homers since the All-Star break.

San Diego has won 13 of its last 17 games. The Padres remained a game out of the final National League playoff spot.

Henderson had won his last six decisions over seven starts before taking the loss versus San Diego. In 6 1/3 innings, he gave up three runs and five hits while striking out seven.

San Diego reliever Yuki Matsui (3-1) got the victory, pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Miller worked a scoreless ninth.

The game ended when Brewers pinch-runner Brandon Lockridge was thrown out attempting to steal second base by Padres catcher Freddy Fermin.

Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich smashed a homer to left field in the second inning off San Diego starter Casey Mize to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.

Mize pitched well in the no-decision other than giving up that homer. He lasted six innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out six.

The Padres cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by France to left field. San Diego struggled to mount scoring opportunities versus Henderson until Merrill’s homer.

The Brewers have the best record in the majors and lead the NL Central by five games over the Chicago Cubs.

Brewers LHP Kyle Harrison (9-2, 2.84 ERA) takes the mound in the second game of the three-game set Tuesday night against Padres RHP Walker Buehler (6-5, 5.07).

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Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio, left, is caught while trying to steal second base by San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth, right, in the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson works against a San Diego Padres batter in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Casey Mize works against a Milwaukee Brewers batter in the first inning of a baseball Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller works against a Milwaukee Brewers batter in the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tarik Skubal yielded three runs over five innings in his home debut for the Dodgers, and Shohei Ohtani scored the go-ahead run in the seventh while Los Angeles rallied for only its second victory in 10 games, 6-5 over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

Skubal allowed four hits and struck out six in the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner's second start for his new team since arriving from Detroit in the majors' biggest deadline trade. Jac Caglianone homered and drove in all three runs off the Dodgers' vaunted new left-hander, who left trailing 3-2.

Max Muncy hit a three-run double in the sixth on his bobblehead night for the Dodgers, but Kyle Isbel responded with a tying two-run homer in the seventh for Kansas City.

Ohtani then singled and stole his first base since May 16 before he scored on Freddie Freeman’s single, putting Los Angeles ahead to stay in this back-and-forth homestand opener.

Ohtani also had an early RBI double for the Dodgers, who improved to 8-12 since July 19.

High-priced Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save, rebounding from back-to-back blown saves in Arizona last weekend.

Noah Cameron pitched into the sixth for Kansas City, yielding six hits and four runs. The Royals have lost nine of 13.

After a warm pregame welcome from the Chavez Ravine crowd, Skubal yielded two soft singles and a run to Kansas City's first three batters, with Bobby Witt Jr. stealing second and scoring on Caglianone's dribbler.

Nick Loftin then doubled in the third before Caglianone smashed his 21st homer to right field, inducing grumbles from the Dodger Stadium stands.

Muncy cleared the bases in the sixth, but Isbel hit his first homer since April 22 off Jack Dreyer (5-1) moments later. The Royals outfielder grew up in the nearby Inland Empire.

Ohtani then catalyzed the winning rally against Alex Lange (1-7).

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell (0-1, 12.00 ERA) makes only his second start of the season for the Dodgers. Michael Wacha (5-8, 3.44) pitches for the Royals.

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Kansas City Royals third baseman Nick Loftin, left, tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages, right, during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani takes off his batting helmet after receiving a strike during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) runs past home plate after scoring on a single hit by Jac Caglianone (not shown) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)