Merrill, Vásquez lead the Padres to a 3-0 victory over the Pirates

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jackson Merrill doubled, tripled, drove in a run and scored another to help Randy Vásquez reach 10 victories as the San Diego Padres beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.

The Padres remained in possession of the National League's third wild-card spot, one game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. San Diego has won 12 of 17 and 22 of 31.

Merrill doubled to right with one out in the second off Bubba Chandler and scored on Luis Rengifo's single to right.

Manny Machado reached on third baseman Nick Gonzales' throwing error with one out in the fourth and came around on Merrill's triple to the right-field wall, sliding in headfirst and dragging his left hand across the plate.

Jake Cronenworth hit an RBI double in the eighth. Merrill drew an 11-pitch walk with two outs to load the bases before Jase Bowen flied out.

Vásquez retired his first nine batters before loading the bases with two outs in the fourth. He struck out Nick Gonzales to end it after catcher Freddy Fermin challenged a ball call that was overturned by the ABS system.

The right-hander held the Pirates to one hit in five innings, with two strikeouts and two walks. He has four wins and a no-decision in his last five starts. His previous high for victories in a season was six in 2025.

Griffin Canning got out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh.

Bradgley Rodriguez pitched the final two innings for his second save. It was San Diego's 10th shutout.

The Pirates stranded 10 runners and were 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Chandler (6-9) allowed two runs, one earned, and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Pirates RHP Jared Jones (2-5, 4.76 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at St. Louis.

The Padres haven't announced starter for the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Tampa Bay.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado looks on at the end of the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill, right, celebrates with shortstop Xander Bogaerts after the Padres defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 in a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, left, is tagged out by Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Rafael Flores Jr., trying to score from second base off a single by Manny Machado during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill, right, celebrates with teammate Gavin Sheets after scoring from second base off an RBI single by Luis Rengifo during the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill slides in to score from second base off an RBI single by Luis Rengifo during the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his MLB-leading 40th home run, Jesús Luzardo struck out nine in seven innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Seattle Mariners 6-0 Wednesday.

Schwarber hit a three-run shot in the second inning and reached 40 homers for a fourth season with Philadelphia, matching the franchise mark set by Ryan Howard. The 33-year-old Schwarber, who snapped an 0-for-7 slump with a single in the first, sent Bryan Woo's fastball 425 feet into right-center to cap a four-run inning that put the Phillies ahead 6-0.

With the win, the Phillies (74-60) avoided a series sweep against the Mariners and remain 4 1/2 games back of Atlanta in the NL East. The Braves face the Dodgers later Wednesday.

The Mariners (64-70) are three games behind first-place Houston in the AL West. The Astros take on the Yankees later Wednesday.

Tim Mayza and Jhoan Duran closed out Philadelphia's 16th shutout of the season as the Mariners were held to two hits.

Luzardo (12-5) retired his first 14 batters before giving up a two-out single to Jhonny Pereda in the fourth. He allowed one hit, walked three and reached 200 strikeouts for the second straight season. In five starts over innings 33 2/3 innings in August, Luzardo has allowed just five earned runs.

Harper hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Phillies the early lead. His 27th homer of the season extended his on-base streak to a career-best 29 games.

Woo (9-9) lasted four innings. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed six runs on five hits while striking out five.

Justin Crawford hit an RBI single in the second to put the Phillies up 3-0 before Schwarber's homer.

Phillies: Start a three-game weekend series in Los Angeles on Friday and send RHP Andrew Painter (3-6, 6.04 ERA) against Angels LHP Reid Detmers (4-8, 3.62).

Mariners: Have not announced a starter for their series opener in Toronto on Friday. Blue Jays RHP Dylan Cease (8-5, 2.37) gets the start.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh reacts after losing a challenge and being called out on strikes during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on a double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo reacts after giving up a single to Seattle Mariners' Jhonny Pereda during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber jogs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)