Nationals score six in seventh to beat Padres 9‑4
WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Luis García Jr.’s two-run single highlighted a six-run seventh inning for the Washington Nationals as they rallied to a 9-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. Washington hit only two balls out of the infield during its big inning, but sent 10 men to the plate in a frame that included the first ejection for Padres rookie manager Craig Stammen. The rally began with a hit-by-pitch and a fielder’s choice error by shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his first homer of the season for San Diego, and Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado also went deep to help the Padres build a 3-1 lead. Drew Millas homered in the third for Washington, then Curtis Mead doubled in two runs in the eighth to break open a one-run game. Mead finished with three RBIs. The Padres had taken the series opener Friday 7-5. Brad Lord (3-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings. Clayton Beeter pitched 1 1/3 innings for his third save. Michael King (4-4) took the loss, allowing four runs in six innings. San Diego fell to 32-25, while Washington improved to 30-29. Attendance at Nationals Park was 30,765. The game lasted 2 hours, 44 minutes.