The Washington Nationals walked out of PETCO Park Friday night winners of a 2-1 ballgame against the San Diego Padres. It was a close game, but the Nationals had one of those rare nights where they had a little everything, just a little, but enough to get the job done.
The Nationals only offense came in the second-inning when first baseman Michael Morse took Mat Latos deep over the left field wall to score Laynce Nix and himself for a two-run home run, Morse's 10th dinger of the year. The Nationals could only grind out four hits against Latos, but it was just enough to beat him Friday night. Shortstop Ian Desmond, right fielder Jayson Werth and Nix all recorded the other hits of the night.
Nationals starer Jason Marquis kept the Padres at bay and gave them "little" to work with. He kept San Diego hitless and scoreless through four before giving up a double to Ryan Ludwick in the fifth-inning. In the sixth Marquis ran into trouble loading the bases and then walking in Chris Denorfia after issuing Ludwick a bases loaded walk. It was Marquis' only blemish to a four hit, one run, three walk, five strikeouts ball. Marquis was then pulled by manager Jim Riggleman for the bullpen. Reliever Tyler Clippard pitched two-innings giving up no hits and one walk and Drew Storen came in and shut the door on the Padres earning his 13th save of the season.
The game was a little close, but the Nationals did just enough to put their record at 28-36.