SAN DIEGO — The Padres defeated the Washington Nationals 7-5 on Friday night, rallying twice in the late innings to take the series opener.
Jackson Merrill hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give San Diego the lead for good. The blast came one inning after Ty France's solo shot to center field tied the game at 5-5.
The Nationals scored first. Curtis Mead hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and Keibert Ruiz followed with a solo homer in the second, pushing Washington ahead 3-1.
The Padres answered. Xander Bogaerts drove in San Diego's first run on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Manny Machado added two runs in the third on a single to right field, putting the Padres up 3-2.
Washington reclaimed the lead when Dylan Crews and Jacob Young each hit RBI singles, pushing the Nationals ahead 5-4.
San Diego tied it in the fourth. Freddy Fermin hit an RBI groundout and Fernando Tatis Jr. followed with an RBI single, knotting the score at 4-4.
Tatis Jr. finished three for five. Gavin Sheets went two for three with a run scored.
Jeremiah Estrada earned the win, improving to 2-1. He pitched 1⅓ innings, struck out two and allowed one hit. Mason Miller closed it out for his 17th save, throwing 1⅓ hitless innings — his fourth four-out save of the season.
Nationals starter Mitchell Parker took the loss, dropping to 2-2. Parker blew his third save of the season, surrendering three runs — one earned — on two hits while striking out one over two innings.
Michael King (4-3, 2.76 ERA) is scheduled to start Game 2 for San Diego. Foster Griffin (6-2, 3.63 ERA) gets the ball for Washington.
