San Diego Padres beat the Washington Nationals 8-5.

San Diego, CA - This afternoon, the Washington Nationals lost as they finished their three-game series against the San Diego Padres, 8-5.

The Washington Nationals were swept by the Padres for the first time since August 31-Sept. 2, 2009. Entering today’s game, since the start of 2021, the Padres offense has had a .837 OPS vs. the Nationals, which was San Diego’s highest OPS against any NL opponent during this time.

The Nationals entered this series within striking range of the last wild card spot; however, by getting swept by the Padres, they are now in the wrong direction.

The Nationals now have a record of 38-42 as they head back East for a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Before the remaining games will be played tonight, in the NL East, the Nationals are behind the New York Mets. [The Mets will be coming to town next week for the July 4th holiday]

The Nationals now have a road record of 21-23 and a record of 7-11 against N.L. West teams. The Nationals are now .500 (12-12) during June.

Getting the start for the Nationals was LHP DJ Herz, searching for the second win of his young MLB career. However, he got to the loss for the Nationals today and now has a record of 1-2.

Herz only pitched 3.1 innings, giving up four runs on six hits. Herz struck out one, walked two, and gave up one home run. Herz threw 66 pitches, 39 being strikes, and faced 19 batters. Herz gave up one run due to a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Eguy Rosario while Padres’ CF Bryce Johnson was at the plate. In the bottom of the eighth, the Padres blew the game open thanks to a grand slam from catcher Kyle Higashioka to left field off RHP Tanner Rainey that would add four more runs.

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On the offensive side of the ball, the Nationals didn’t score any runs and only got one hit thanks to a Nick Sanzel single-line drive to center field in the top of the 5th inning. After being successful in stealing bases in the earlier part of the season, the Nationals of late have been having issues stealing bases. Lane Thomas got caught stealing second base this afternoon by Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka in the top of the first after he got on base due to a walk.

The Nationals bats did come alive in the top of the ninth by scoring five runs. However, the rally fell short.

RHP Dylan Cease, who had his first career start against the Washington Nationals today, was impressive on the mound today. Cease went 7.0 innings, giving up only one hit, no runs, two walks, and struck out nine.

Up next, the Washington Nationals have the day off on Thursday as they head back to the east to face the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game weekend series that kicks off on Friday night.

The Nationals are slated to send LHP Mitchell Parker (5-3, 3.30) to the mound, while the Rays are slated to send RHP Zach Eflin (3-5, 4.20) to face the Nationals.

Mitchell Parker has allowed three earned runs or less in 12 of his 13 career starts. Parker’s five wins are tied for fourth-most among rookie pitchers in the National League. Mitchell Parker has allowed three earned runs or less in 12 of his 13 career starts. His five wins are tied for fourth-most among rookie pitchers in the National League.

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