Nationals Edge Padres

Late HR sinks San Diego

The Washington Nationals are one of the very few teams in baseball that can lose a player as good as Bryce Harper and still be a World Series contender.

The Nats started a 4-game set at Petco Park with a 2-1 win over the Padres on Thursday night. Former Padres starter Edwin Jackson (OK, he only made 13 starts in San Diego but he’s a cool guy) liked pitching in the East Village when he was here and that hasn’t worn off.

Jackson tossed 7.0 innings of one-run ball to get the first win of his 15-year career against the Friars. The only run he allowed came on a 3rd inning single by Jose Pirela that brought in Manuel Margot and tied the game 1-1.

San Diego starter Jhoulys Chacin was as effective if not as efficient. Chacin only allowed one run in 5.0 innings but worked too many deep counts and left after 104 pitches.

In the 8th inning it was still tied 1-1. Reliever Kirby Yates struck out the side but with two outs allowed a solo home run to All-Star Ryan Zimmerman that turned out to be the game-winner. Things don’t exactly get easier for the Padres on Friday night because they have to deal with Washington ace Max Scherzer. Padres righty Luis Perdomo is tasked with trying to keep the Friars in the game against one of the best in the National League.

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