Merrill went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and a stolen base in a 3-2 win against Houston on Saturday.
Merrill plated the Padres' first run on a bases-loaded fielder's choice in the first inning. He added a 421-foot solo shot to center field in the third. The 23-year-old has been hot to begin August, batting .344 (11-for-32) with two homers, nine RBI, seven runs and two stolen bases through eight games. Merrill is still batting a modest .242 on the season, but he's faring much better with a .333 mark and seven of his 18 homers across 22 games since the All-Star break.