Padres Slam Nationals Again, Completing Sweep, Strong Home Stand with 8-5 Win

The Padres limped home after a win June 19, only managing to salvage a victory on the last day of a 1-5 road trip.

But they turned it around at Petco Park, capping a 6-1 home stand with a three-game sweep of Washington, and after more than a little drama too.

It was all Padres – specifically Kyle Higashioka – for most of the 8-5 win Wednesday. The Friars catcher hit two home runs, including an eighth-inning grand slam, while partnering with starter Dylan Cease, who gave up just one hit in seven innings.

The slam put the Padres up 8-0 and it was a good thing as Tom Cosgrove and Adrian Morejon ran into trouble in the ninth. Cosgrove gave up four runs runs and Morejon one before Morejon induced Nick Senzel to hit into a double play to end the threat and seal the win.

It was the second straight game with a Padre grand slam – Jurickson Profar did the honors Tuesday after being at the center of a first-inning scrap with the Nationals. He also drove in the tying and game-winning runs Monday in a come-from-behind 7-6 win in 10 innings.

Cease told MLB.com that the Padres enjoyed “two really great series,” including taking three of four from the Central division-leading Brewers to begin the home stand. Jake Cronenworth did him one better, calling the wins over Milwaukee and Washington the “best stretch of games we’ve had all year.”

They also once again climbed above .500 at 44-41. It wasn’t all good news at Petco though – the team placed first Luis Campusano (thumb bruise), then Fernando Tatis Jr. (stress reaction in femur) on the injured list. The catcher is expected back quickly, but Tatis himself warned MLB.com that he thinks he won’t be back until after the All-Star Break.

The Padres have Thursday off before beginning a six-game road trip in Boston. Randy Vásquez is set to take the mound in the opener.