Jackson Merrill homers, ties Padres’ rookie RBI record

ST. PETERSBURG — Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly in the ninth inning provided the winning margin in the Padres’ 4-3 victory over the Rays on Sunday at Tropicana Field.

The winning score matched the Padres’ record during their seven-game road trip, and they now head home to face the Tigers on Monday, which will mark the end of San Diego’s streak of 18 consecutive games without an off-day.

Jake Cronenworth opened the pivotal frame with a leadoff walk against Rays reliever Manuel Rodríguez and moved to third on a Manny Machado single. Bogaerts followed with a fly ball to center field that was plenty deep enough to score Tyler Wade, who was pinch-running for Cronenworth.

San Diego grabbed a 3-0 advantage in the fourth inning thanks to a two-run homer by Jackson Merrill and a sac fly by Jurickson Profar. Merrill’s 21st homer gave him 79 RBIs, which matches Benito Santiago’s rookie franchise record.

That lead evaporated in the sixth when Jason Adam, making his first appearance at Tropicana Field since being acquired by the Padres from the Rays, allowed three inherited runners to score via a hit-by-pitch, a double-play groundout and a wild pitch.