Jackson Merrill concluded the previous homestand with his first two-homer game.
He proceeded to homer in the first two games of the road trip and blasted one off left-hander Ranger Suarez on Wednesday, upping his total to a team-high five through the first 18 games of June.
The 21-year-old rookie is hitting .279/.313/.590 with eight RBIs this month.
His eight home runs this season rank fourth on the Padres behind Fernando Tatis Jr. (13), Jake Cronenworth (10), Jurickson Profar (10) and Ha-Seong Kim (9).
“I think he’s had success all year,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said before Thursday’s 6:40 p.m. first pitch. “The power has come into his game more recently. I think that’s a byproduct of getting comfortable, recognizing how pitchers are going to pitch you. Just trying to make sure we’re having good at-bats and now its ok I’m comfortable with what I’m seeing, now I can pick my spot to drive the ball a little more.”
To that point, Merrill’s .590 slugging percentage this month is 230 points higher than what he ended May with.
“More experience is all I can really say,” Merrill said. “As the season goes on I expect into to get better. Power surges come and go. I’ll stay with what I’m doing right now, be consistent and try to win.
“Just go out there and try to play for the win.”
Merrill will bat sixth on Thursday to start a four-game series with the NL Central-leading Brewers.
Mazur on the mound against Milwaukee! pic.twitter.com/J1YtvVXlIX
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 20, 2024
Cronenworth is back in the lineup at second base in the clean-up spot, pushing Manny Machado down to fifth. Machado is also serving as the third baseman as three-hole hitter Profar serves as the DH and David Peralta gets the start in left field.
The Padres (38-40) begin Thursday a half-game out of a wild-card spot, behind the Cardinals (36-37), who play this evening against the Giants (36-39).
Here is how the Brewers will line up for the opening game of the series:
Who’s staying up with us?
📺: @BallySportWI
📻: @620wtmj #ThisIsMyCrew X @NicoletLaw pic.twitter.com/vG3AZUs6WI— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 20, 2024
Thursday’s pitching matchup
Brewers RHP Bryse Wilson (4-3, 3.84 ERA)
Sometimes a starter (4.14 ERA over 37 IP) and sometimes a reliever (3.42 ERA over 26 ⅓ IP), the 26-year-old has thrown at least four innings in each of his last 10 appearances (7 starts, 3.99 ERA). Wilson threw 3⅔ shutout innings in a start against the Padres in Milwaukee in April.
Here is how Wilson has fared against current Padres:
Padres RHP Adam Mazur (0-2, 7.82 ERA)
The 23-year-old rookie has walked 13 batters over the first 12⅔ innings of his career and struck out just eight. Opposing hitters have an .822 OPS against Mazur, who has allowed 10 runs over his last 3⅔ innings after throwing a quality start (6 IP, 1 ER) in his debut).
This is his first appearance against the Brewers.