Nationals Secure 10-6 Victory Over Padres with Strong Offensive Display

SAN DIEGO: A commanding three-run homer by James Wood propelled the Washington Nationals to a 10-6 triumph against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Monday evening.

Wood, making his initial appearance at Petco Park, highlighted the game by launching a three-run shot off Padres relief pitcher Yuki Matsui, targeting the right-field foul pole in the eighth inning.

Josh Bell also delivered an impressive performance, hitting a home run and contributing three RBIs with a pair of hits. CJ Abrams chipped in with three hits, including a solo home run.

Notably, all three players were key figures in the significant trade that brought Juan Soto from Washington to San Diego on August 2, 2022.

Bell was a component of the transaction that sent him to San Diego, while Wood was among the six players the Nationals acquired in the exchange. Soto was subsequently traded to the New York Yankees in December 2023.

Nationals’ starting pitcher Mitchell Parker (5-8) provided a sound performance, conceding three runs on six hits across five innings, accompanied by two walks and one strikeout. His contribution aided Washington in securing only their third victory in their past 16 games and their second road win this month.

Padres’ starter Stephen Kolek (3-3) suffered the defeat, surrendering five runs—four earned—on five hits over 4⅓ innings.

A pivotal moment unfolded in the fourth inning when Kolek committed a critical two-base throwing error, resulting in a four-run inning that shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the Nationals.

San Diego mounted a late effort, featuring a solo home run by Manny Machado in the fourth. Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr. also contributed with home runs, but their efforts were insufficient to overcome Washington’s robust offensive showing.

The series is set to resume Tuesday night, with Washington’s Trevor Williams scheduled to face San Diego’s Ryan Bergert.