Game result and context
San Diego Padres defeat Washington Nationals 3-2 in 2026 regular season matchup
The San Diego Padres edged the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Sunday, relying on early offensive production and a solid pitching performance to hold off a late rally.
Final result
The San Diego Padres defeated the Washington Nationals with a final score of 3-2. The Padres improved their record to 76-68, while the Nationals fell to 67-79.
How the game changed
San Diego established an early lead by scoring one run in the first inning and two more in the third. The Nationals attempted to close the gap in the top of the sixth inning when Dylan Crews hit a two-run home run, but the Padres' bullpen prevented further scoring for the remainder of the contest.
Key performances
Jackson Merrill led the Padres' offense with three hits and two RBIs in four at-bats. Manny Machado contributed two hits and one RBI, while Fernando Tatis Jr. added three hits. Nick Pivetta earned the win for San Diego, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing no earned runs with two strikeouts.
For the Nationals, Dylan Crews provided the team's only scoring with his two-run home run in the sixth inning. Starting pitcher Jake Irvin took the loss, working 5.2 innings and allowing three earned runs with three strikeouts.
Season and playoff context
This game was the first of a three-game regular season series between the two clubs. The Padres continue their campaign with a 76-68 record, while the Nationals hold a 67-79 mark as the 2026 season progresses.