Make it 7! Padres extend streak with 2nd straight extras win

MIAMI -- Not many teams can give up a six-run inning and still come back and win a game. But not many teams are playing like the San Diego Padres right now.

On Saturday, the Padres were down four runs after Miami put up six in the fifth inning.

Once again, no problem.

The Padres scored two runs in the seventh and three in the eighth before beating the Marlins, 9-8, in 10 innings at loanDepot park for San Diego’s seventh consecutive victory. The Padres have won 16 of 19 since the All-Star break.

“It’s a privilege to manage a game like that with the team we have, their desire and ability to compete, their dedication to playing the game right,” manager Mike Shildt said. “This is what it’s all about, ultimately. …

“I have felt something special all year. It has been on display consistently throughout the season. The guys are doing it. There’s not a doubt in anyone’s mind. We just have to find the solution to win, and, that’s what winners do.’’

It's been a week and a half since Tanner Scott came to San Diego from Miami at the Trade Deadline, but the closer is fitting right in. In the series opener on Friday night, he entered in the 10th inning and gave up just a soft infield single before securing the win.

On Saturday, Scott earned his first save with the Padres, allowing only a bunt single in the 10th before he whiffed his former teammate Jake Burger for the final out.

In the eighth, Burger had homered with two outs to tie the game, 8-8, and force extra innings.

“That’s a really good hitter, and I am used to that man, you could say. It’s cool we got the win,’’ said Scott. “I just go out there and treat it like any other inning. Whenever the phone rings and they call my name, it’s just another inning. [Burger] did what he did earlier in the game, and I am glad I got him out.’’

Luis Arraez, who won the National League batting title with the Marlins last season, is also enjoying this run with the Padres. Acquired in May, Arraez drove in three runs on Saturday, including a go-ahead run in the eighth and the game-winning run in the 10th.

“We have a great team that never gives up and competes every day,” Arraez said. “We just want to score one run, one run, one run and we have a chance to win the game. This is amazing. When we’re winning, everything is good. We play together, are an excellent group, have an outstanding manager and coaching staff. What else? We have the best relievers in the game.”

A significant ingredient in San Diego’s secret sauce of late has been the phenomenal play of 21-year-old rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill, who seems to do something big every game for the Padres. On Friday, Merrill led off the ninth with a home run, which tied the score, 2-2, and allowed San Diego to get the win in extras.

Merrill again hit a game-tying homer on Saturday, crushing a two-run long ball into the visitors' bullpen beyond the right-field fence in the eighth.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Merrill's five game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later this season ties him with Mel Ott (1929) for the second-most in a season by a player 21 or younger since 1900. Frank Robinson leads the list with six such homers (1956).

That's pretty heady company for Merrill, who is in contention for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

“His play speaks for itself -- and his play is speaking very loud,” Shildt said. “He’s just looking to play games and contribute to help us win games, which he is obviously doing. I would like to think that’s a consideration for that award.”

Added Arraez: “That guy is different. He’s 21, and he’s different. This is his first year in the league, and he can do a lot of good things.”

San Diego had a 3-0 lead with two outs in the fourth before Vidal Bruján homered off starter Matt Waldron.

Waldron got the first out of the fifth but was pulled after giving up a two-run double to Jesús Sánchez and then hitting Jonah Bride. Waldron finished the night with five strikeouts, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings.

The Padres used three pitchers in that six-run fifth with four walks, four hits, two doubles, a wild pitch, and a struck batter.

“The fifth came around, and some trouble came. I think I let it get the best of me, and that’s frustrating,” Waldron said.

In the end, it did not matter all that much. That’s just the way the Padres are rolling these days.

“It’s a lot of fun, helps me sleep better at night,” Waldron said. “It’s not about me, it’s about this team. On days where I don’t show up and they pull through, it makes me want to continue to be a part of it. It’s crazy what they’re doing right now. It’s fun to be a part of it. I wish I could have contributed a little more. But we’re tight. It’s just fun to be in this locker room right now.’’