The Nationals built their lead with home run power and held off a late Padres rally for a 4-2 victory at Nationals Park.
James Wood delivered the decisive blow with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBI. Wood, carrying a .272 average with 16 home runs and 39 RBI this season, connected on a 417-foot shot to center field that scored Ruiz and extended Washington's lead to 3-0.
The Nationals struck first in the fourth when García Jr. homered to center field, a 402-foot blast that opened the scoring. Wood's homer in the fifth gave Washington breathing room before the Padres mounted their comeback attempt in the seventh. France doubled to left to score Bogaerts, then Castellanos hit a sacrifice fly to center that brought Merrill home, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Washington answered immediately when Chaparro doubled to left, scoring Nuñez to restore the two-run margin.
Zack Littell earned the win for Washington, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 6 innings with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. His ERA: 5.01. Griffin Canning took the loss for San Diego, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings with 3 strikeouts. Clayton Beeter recorded his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Washington improved to 30-29 and snapped a losing streak. San Diego fell to 32-25.