Padres Sweep Marlins to Boost Wild-Card Bid

The San Diego Padres completed a series sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 5-3 comeback win, boosting their wild-card chances and pulling within two games of the final spot. Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill delivered late, with Machado tying the game with an eighth-inning two-run homer and Merrill following with a go-ahead solo shot, as the Padres rallied from a 3-1 deficit. The victory capped a five-win, five-loss road trip and came as San Diego has shown offensive improvement since mid-June, with multiple players contributing and Machado, Merrill, and Fernando Tatis Jr. clicking together. The team has been experimenting with its pitching staff, using 11 relievers in the 13-man bullpen and deploying relievers as needed in rotations to extend health and flexibility. Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has been weighing buyers for the trade deadline, optimistic that the current roster can be remodeled into a contender, especially after finishing the trip 5-5. The Marlins’ losing streak extended to a franchise-record 12 games, underscoring Miami’s woes as San Diego solidified its push for October baseball.