The Washington Nationals managed just six hits through the first seven innings, but it was enough to beat the San Diego Padres, 9-4.
The Washington Nationals got back in the win column to preserve the chance at securing the series win on Sunday, taking down the Padres, 9-4, at home.
Foster Griffin allowed three earned runs and five hits, including three home runs, while tossing five strikeouts in five innings.
Xander Bogaerts opened the scoring after taking a 87 mph cutter 417 feet for a solo home run to put the Padres ahead in the second inning.
After the Nationals went down in order in the bottom of the inning, Drew Millas would be the one to tie the game back up after blasting his second home run of the season 397 feet over the right field wall to make it 1-1.
Yet Manny Machado would give the Padres the lead right back after a 362 foot home run to left field hit the foul pole to take the lead back in the first at bat of the inning. A solo shot in the fifth inning, this time from Fernando Tatis Jr., pushed the Padres early lead to 3-1.
The Nationals would take away a possible scoring chance from the Padres in the seventh after Drew Millas caught the base runner at first in a pickle before tagging him out at first base before Brad Lord's second strikeout of the day inning
It mattered because the Nationals would grab the lead back thanks to a six-run seventh inning.
After CJ Abrams opened the inning with a leadoff single into center, Jose Tena became the second runner on after reaching on an infield single before Jorbit Vivas drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. The Nationals' first run came courtesy of Dylan Crews being hit by a pitch, cutting it to 3-2, before a second RBI from Drew Millas was confirmed after a Padres challenge to tie the game.
The Nationals would then take the lead for good on the next at bat after Curtis Mead drew a walk on five pitches before a single into center from Luis Garcia Jr. drove in Crews and Millas to make it a 6-3 contest. Daylen Lile's grounder into a fielder's choice added another insurance run before Abrams took the plate in the final at bat of the inning, ending in a strikeout.
Machado would cut the deficit to 7-4 in the top of the eighth after a two-out double into left field with Gus Varland on the mound, but Clayton Beeter would come out to force the final out to end the threat. The Nationals would then add two more in the bottom of the inning after Curtis Mead came in for a pinch hit then promptly dropped a double into left field to get Millas and Crews home.
Now one game back over .500, the Nationals will look to pick up their third home series win in May with the two teams set for a 1:35 PM opening pitch on Sunday.
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