Arraez’s homer, great catches by Merrill, Tatis, give the Padres a 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Luis Arraez homered leading off the seventh inning and Jackson Merrill and All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr. made home run-robbing catches for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Arraez, the three-time batting champion, paused for a moment before backing out of the batter’s box and beginning his trot as his shot off Merrill Kelly (7-5) settled several rows deep in the home run porch down the right field line. It was his fifth.

Merrill, the center fielder, made a terrific leaping catch at the fence to rob Corbin Carroll of a two-run home run to end the fifth. Pivetta raised his right index finger and pointed at Merrill.

Right fielder Tatis leaped to rob former Padres player Josh Naylor of a home run in the eighth. Jason Adam tipped his cap to Tatis.

Both Merrill and Tatis are converted shortstops.

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) makes a leaping catch on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Josh Naylor during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

Starter Nick Pivetta loaded the bases in the fourth with one out before striking out Eugenio Suárez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The Padres got out of another bases-loaded jam in the seventh, with Adrian Morejon (6-3) striking out Ketel Marte to end the inning.

Robert Suarez, added to the National League All-Star team on Tuesday, pitched a perfect ninth for his big league-leading 26th save.

Padres manager Mike Shildt was ejected by plate umpire Brian Walsh for saying something from the dugout during Marte’s at-bat in the sixth. It was his third ejection this season and 17th of his career.

Key moment

Arraez’s homer came on a night where hits were at a premium at Petco Park. San Diego had four and Arizona had three.

San Diego Padres’ Luis Arraez, left, watches his homerun during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

Key stat

Carroll’s fly ball that was caught by Merrill had a projected distance of 406 feet, the farthest-hit ball at Petco Park that resulted in an out since tracking began in 2015.

Up Next

RHP Brandon Pfaadt (8-6, 5.42 ERA) and Padres RHP Dylan Cease (3-8, 4.62) are scheduled to start Wednesday night.

San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill makes a leaping catch on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

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