Padres Secure Victory Over Nationals with Late-Inning Rally

SAN DIEGO: At Petco Park on Tuesday, Martin Maldonado’s timely home run leveled the score in the fifth inning, while Jose Iglesias’s subsequent RBI groundout propelled the San Diego Padres to a 4-3 triumph over the Washington Nationals.

After falling behind 3-0 early in the game, the Padres demonstrated resilience, orchestrating a comeback despite encountering adversity. Rookie pitcher Ryan Bergert was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning after a 103-mph line drive off Jacob Young’s bat struck his elbow.

Prior to his injury, Bergert had surrendered five hits. Although he managed to field the batted ball, Young reached first base on an infield single. Following an assessment by the team’s medical staff, Bergert was removed from the contest and replaced by Adrian Morejon.

Washington took advantage of the situation, extending their initial advantage with an RBI groundout courtesy of James Wood. Wood, previously a Padres prospect, also drew a bases-loaded walk in the second inning, enabling the Nationals to establish a 2-0 lead, which quickly escalated to 3-0.

In the sixth inning, Trevor Williams issued walks to the first two batters he faced before being relieved. Cole Henry, the subsequent pitcher, also walked a batter to load the bases. Iglesias then delivered the decisive run with a groundout. Maldonado’s earlier home run had equalized the score and altered the game’s trajectory.

Despite pitching seven innings, Williams was charged with the loss, having conceded four runs on seven hits, accompanied by three strikeouts.

Morejon delivered an effective relief performance, extending his scoreless innings streak to 18 in long-relief outings. Jason Adam claimed the win, and Robert Suarez earned his 22nd save, tying for the league lead, by striking out Wood to conclude the game.

The series will conclude on Wednesday, with MacKenzie Gore scheduled to face Padres starter Nick Pivetta.