Nationals explode for six-run inning, beat Padres

Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run single to highlight a six-run seventh inning as the Nationals rallied past the San Diego Padres for a 9-4 win Saturday in Washington.

Garcia had two hits and Drew Millas homered for the Nationals, who had lost two straight.

Washington trailed 3-1 entering the seventh when CJ Abrams led off with a single off Michael King. Jose Tena then reached on a fielder's choice, moving Abrams to second. Jorbit Vivas walked to load the bases and Dylan Crews was hit by a pitch, forcing home a run.

Reliever Bradgley Rodriguez came on and Millas grounded to second baseman Tatis, but Crews was called safe at second with shortstop Xander Bogaerts' foot not touching the base, and a run scored. Padres manager Craig Stammen argued the call and was ejected.

Mead walked to force in Washington's fourth run and, after James Wood struck out, Garcia singled up the middle, scoring two more runs. The final run scored when Daylen Lile beat out a potential double-play grounder as Mead scored.

In the San Diego eighth, Miguel Andujar walked and scored on a double by Manny Machado. Two more walks by Gus Varland loaded the bases, but Clayton Beeter came on to retire Ty France.

Mead doubled home two runs in the bottom half to push the lead to 9-4.

Brad Lord (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and Beeter picked up his third save.

Bogaerts, Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. homered for the Padres, who have lost five of their past six games.

King (4-4) allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in six-plus innings.

Bogaerts homered to center with one out in the second inning to give the Padres a 1-0 lead.

Millas tied it 1-1 in the bottom of the third with a shot to right.

San Diego regained the lead in the fourth on Machado's home run.

Tatis made it 3-1 in the fifth when he connected for his first home run of the season.

Foster Griffin allowed three runs on five hits - three of them home runs -- over five innings for Washington.

--Field Level Media