Thu May 29 18:53:55 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Gerut's blast propels Padres past Nationals

---

San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Jody Gerut's three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth proved to be the difference, as the San Diego Padres downed the Washington Nationals, 5-2, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Petco Park.

Starter Wilfredo Ledezma had a solid five-inning performance on the mound for San Diego, holding the Nationals to one run on two hits. The lefty fanned a career-high-tying seven batters and walked three. Heath Bell (2-3) tossed a scoreless eighth to pick up the win.

Edgar Gonzalez drove in two runs for San Diego, which finished its 10-game homestand with a mark of 5-5. Michael Barrett was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Washington starter John Lannan was equally impressive on the hill, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings of work. Saul Rivera (3-3) gave up two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings to absorb the loss.

Ryan Langerhans and Elijah Dukes each knocked in a run for Washington, which has dropped three of four. The Nationals were limited to only four hits.

After giving up the tying run in the top of the seventh, the Padres scored three runs in the home eighth to go up 5-2. Kevin Kouzmanoff led off the inning with a high towering drive to left, but Langerhans timed his leap perfectly and took a home run away from the Padres third baseman.

Khalil Greene and Barrett then hit back-to-back singles, chasing Rivera from the game. Gerut greeted reliever Charlie Manning with a three-run blast to right to put the home squad in front for good.

Trevor Hoffman, making his 900th career appearance, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his 11th save of the season.

The Nats got on the board in the top of the fourth, as Lastings Milledge led off with a bunt single, stole second and third before trotting home on Dukes' sacrifice fly.

San Diego countered with a pair of runs in the next frame to grab a 2-1 lead. Adrian Gonzalez singled to begin the inning, then Lannan nipped the jersey of Kouzmanoff to put runners on first and second. After Greene flied out to right, Lannan walked Barrett to load the bases for Edgar Gonzalez, who socked a two-run single past second baseman Felipe Lopez.

Meanwhile, Padres pitchers sent down 10 straight men to come to the plate following Milledge's knock in the fourth, until Dukes drew a one-out walk in the seventh. The Nats right fielder stole second and advanced to third when Wil Nieves grounded out to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Langerhans then stroked a pinch-hit single to right field, tying the game at two.

Game Notes

The Padres have won 10 straight series over the Montreal/Washington franchise. San Diego has not a lost a series to the Expos/Nationals since a three-game sweep, May 6-8, 2003 at Olympic Stadium...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Hoffman is the 19th pitcher in Major League history to reach the 900- game plateau and one of just three active players, joining Boston's Mike Timlin and Detroit's Todd Jones...Washington stole four bases...The Padres left nine men on base, while the Nats stranded five.