Game result and context
San Diego Padres defeat Washington Nationals 9-2 in 2026 regular season matchup
The San Diego Padres secured a 9-2 win against the Washington Nationals, bolstered by a multi-home run performance from Jackson Merrill. The victory maintains the Padres' position in the wild-card race.
Final result
The San Diego Padres defeated the Washington Nationals 9-2 on September 9, 2026. The Padres improved their record to 78-68, while the Washington Nationals fell to 67-81.
How the game changed
The game remained competitive early, with the Nationals scoring two runs in the top of the third inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Keibert Ruiz. The Padres responded immediately in the bottom of the third with three runs to take the lead. San Diego extended their advantage with two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth, effectively pulling away from Washington. The Padres added single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to finalize the 9-2 score.
Key performances
Jackson Merrill led the Padres' offense, finishing the game with four hits in five at-bats, including two home runs and six runs batted in. Ty France and Fernando Tatis Jr. also contributed significantly, each recording three hits and one RBI. On the mound, Walker Buehler pitched 2.1 innings and struck out four batters. For the Nationals, Keibert Ruiz provided the team's only home run, while Luis Perales struck out four over 2.0 innings of work.
Season and playoff context
With this win, the San Diego Padres hold a 78-68 record and sit in second place in their division. They currently lead the wild-card standings with an elimination number of 6. The Washington Nationals, at 67-81, are fifth in their division and have been eliminated from playoff contention.