San Diego Padres designated hitter Xander Bogaerts, left, celebrates his grand slam with third base coach Tim Leiper (33) as he runs the bases during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Xander Bogaerts hits 1st-inning grand slam in Padres’ 8-1 win over Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam in the first inning, Elias Díaz also homered and the San Diego Padres routed the Washington Nationals 8-1 on Sunday.

Bogaerts hit the first pitch he saw from MacKenzie Gore (4-9) into the seats in left for his sixth homer of the season and eighth career grand slam. Jake Cronenworth had an RBI double to make it 5-0 before the Nationals batted.

Padres starter Nick Pivetta (10-2) allowed one run in six innings while striking out five. Pivetta is 3-0 with a 0.57 ERA in his last five starts.

The Padres improved to 54-45, winning two of the three in the weekend series and five of their last seven.

Riley Adams homered in the fifth for Washington. The Nationals have lost 10 of 12 — going 2-7 under interim manager Miguel Cairo — to drop to 39-60.

Díaz lined a two-run shot to left in the third to end Gore’s outing. Gore tied his career high with eight runs allowed in a season-low 2 1/3 innings.

San Diego center fielder Jackson Merrill was scratched due to illness about a half-hour before the game.

Key moment

Bogaerts’ grand slam provided San Diego an early cushion.

Key stat

Pivetta, who was drafted by Washington in 2013 and dealt to Philadelphia two years later, is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 13 innings against the Nationals this season.

Up next

San Diego had yet to announce its pitching plans for Monday night at Miami. Washington RHP Jake Irvin (7-5, 4.58 ERA) was set to start Monday night against Cincinnati as the Nationals’ homestand continues.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore throws to the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta throws to the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
San Diego Padres designated hitter Xander Bogaerts, second from right, celebrates his grand slam against the Washington Nationals with Manny Machado (13), Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) and Luis Arraez, right, during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
San Diego Padres’ Jake Cronenworth celebrates after hitting an RBI-double against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

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