San Diego Padres designated hitter Xander Bogaerts hit a first-inning grand slam to help defeat the Nationals 8-1 on Sunday.
Bogaerts went two for four with a walk and four RBIs. The grand slam was his sixth home run of the season.
San Diego’s slugger batted in four of the Padres’ eight runs in the first three innings. Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore, in his first appearance since tossing a scoreless inning in the All-Star Game, posted his worst performance of the season.
A two-run homer by Padres catcher Elias Diaz in the third inning stretched the lead to eight and forced Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo to turn to his bullpen.
Gore pitched just 2 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits and three walks. He recorded just two strikeouts in the loss.
Washington’s offense couldn’t keep the game close, notching just one hit through the first four innings.
Nationals catcher Riley Adams finally killed the shutout with a solo home run to right-center field in the bottom of the fifth. The Nationals couldn’t carry the momentum forward, though.
San Diego starting pitcher Nick Pivetta threw six innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and a single walk while tallying five strikeouts. He is now 10-2 with a solid 2.81 ERA.
Washington’s bullpen stopped the bleeding with 6 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Gore. Without the offense to match, it was a futile effort.
The Nationals threatened to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases thanks to a single, a walk and an error. But a hard-hit ball by shortstop C.J. Abrams fell harmlessly into left fielder Gavin Sheets’ glove to end the inning.
Padres third baseman Manny Machado reached base four times for San Diego with three walks and a double.
Sunday’s win gave the Padres (54-45) a series victory in their first games since the All-Star Break. The Nationals dropped to 39-60 on the season, 17 1/2 games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
Washington has won just two of its nine games since Cairo took over for the fired Dave Martinez on July 7.
The Nationals open a three-game series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.