Jackson Merrill quote shows he's built for October after Padres' comeback vs. Reds

The San Diego Padres didn’t just notch another win on September 8, they delivered a statement. And it came not only with Fernando Tatis Jr.’s walk-off sac fly or Jackson Merrill’s game-tying triple, but with a quote that echoed far beyond the Petco Park clubhouse. After a thrilling 4-3 comeback over the Cincinnati Reds, Merrill made it clear this wasn’t just about one September win. It was about the belief within the team and organization. Momentum. Playoff identity. And for a franchise clawing its way toward the top of the NL West, that kind of mindset might matter just as much as any swing of the bat.

On Sunday, the Padres capped off their third straight win with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park. And after the dust settled, Merrill didn’t hesitate to drop a quote that will resonate all the way into October:

“We were going to win this game.”

Jackson Merrill’s bold quote after Padres win proves he’s ready for the postseason

It wasn’t bravado or full. It was conviction. The kind of confidence that thrives in a playoff chase. And if you’re looking for a reason to believe the Padres might be built differently this time around, Merrill’s mindset is a good place to start.

The Padres didn’t coast to this one. They trailed 3-0 early, with the offense looking stagnant through the first few frames. But like every team that’s serious about October baseball, they didn’t flinch.

Gavin Sheets kickstarted the comeback with a double that scored Tatis Jr. Merrill followed it up with a two-run triple in the sixth inning. In the 10th, it was Tatis Jr. lifting a sacrifice fly to deep center that plated the winning run and sent Petco Park into a frenzy. It was the kind of win that speaks louder than any box score. It showed heart. Urgency. And, as Merrill emphasized, expectation.

With the win, the Padres remain just one game behind the Dodgers in the NL West race. And with 18 games to go, every inch of momentum matters. More importantly, Merrill’s postgame comments reinforce something Padres fans have been hoping to see all season: This team believes.

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