Overview

• The Padres sent nine batters to the plate in a five-run ninth inning capped by Manny Machado’s first grand slam of the season in a 7-2 win at Nationals Park.
• Dylan Cease limited Washington to four hits over 5 1/3 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks, recording his fifth career outing with double-digit strikeouts and zero walks.
• CJ Abrams tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run homer off Jason Adams in the eighth, setting the stage for San Diego’s late rally.
• San Diego manufactured early runs through small-ball tactics, including two sacrifice bunts by Elias Díaz that produced a run apiece.
• The victory improved the Padres to 53-44 and solidified their hold on the National League’s final wild-card berth.