The Washington Nationals (37-77) will host the San Diego Padres (64-51) on Saturday in the second game of a three-game series. The Padres took care of business on Friday, beating the Nationals 10-5.
After winning five straight games from July 31-August 3, the Padres lost five straight games after, but on Friday night they got their current new winning streak rolling up to three games…kind of. Even in the victory yesterday, the Padres suffered a big loss as it was announced that start shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will miss the rest of the season due to being suspended 80-games for a banned substance. Although Tatis Jr. had not yet played a game for the Padres this season, he was expected to return soon and was a huge reason why the Padres were optistimic to make a run at the NL Pennant.
Breaking: Fernando Tatis Jr. has received an 80-game suspension without pay for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced. pic.twitter.com/NQW6qSG7KI
— ESPN (@espn) August 12, 2022
As for the active Padres, they collected 14 hits, went 5 for 17 with runners in scoring position, and hit two home runs in Friday night's win. Manny Machado drove in two runs, Brandon Drury hit his 23rd home run and two RBI, and Trent Grisham hit his 14th home run and three RBI. Juan Soto received a standing ovation in his return to D.C. and went 2 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI.
Yu Darvish will get the start for the Padres. He is 10-5 with a 3.28 ERA overall and 4-4 with a 4.37 ERA in 11 road starts.