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Bard's four RBI lifts Padres over Nationals

Jun 3, 2007 - 10:08 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Behind a career-high four RBI performance from Josh Bard, the San Diego Padres outlasted the rain and the Washington Nationals to win their seventh consecutive series on Sunday with a 7-3 victory in a persistent rain.

Bard blasted a three-run homer in the first inning and added a sacrifice fly in the seventh to account for San Diego's final run.

"I think the biggest thing today was -- we talked about it before the game -- there was a big sense of urgency, just the way the weather was," Bard said. "I don't know if that focused us a little more."

The Padres won their seventh straight series and have won 22 of their last 28 games against the Montreal/Washington franchise since Aug. 2003.

"We're just excited getting out of here taking two of three," Bard said.

After Bard's homer, the Nationals struck back in the third inning on an RBI double by Ronnie Belliard, followed by a two-run, upper-deck homer by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.

The ball was one of the longest hit at RFK Stadium.

"I hit it good," Zimmerman said. "That was pretty good then because it put us back in the game."

San Diego regained the lead in the fifth inning on a solo shot by Hiram Bocachica off Washington starter Jason Simontacchi. Marcus Giles reached on a throwing error by third baseman Zimmerman and Terrmel Sledge walked before Adrian Gonzalez plated both, with a double to right field, making it 6-3 to knock Simontacchi out of the game.

Simontacchi (2-4) suffered through his second consecutive rough outing, allowing four earned runs on five hits and a walk. The righthander struck out four.

David Wells (3-3) pitched five innings in a steady rain to earn the win. He allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. The lefthander struck out a pair and did not walk a batter in the persistent rain.

"Terrible, terrible and even worse," said Wells of the weather conditions. "You were lucky to have a dry ball at any given time. It was terrible. I'm glad we played, but I don't know why we should. Somebody could have gotten hurt."

The 44-year-old Wells continued his success against the Washington-Montreal franchise, winning his sixth straight matchup. For his career he has a 5-3 mark in 10 starts in the series.

"You're carrying 20 extra pounds being soaking wet. You get frustrated," Wells said. "I've never been the guy to be the five and die kind of guy, but I said 'enough.' I was frustrated... I don't know how I had a curve ball today."

After Wells went the first five innings, the Padres got a scoreless inning each from relievers Cla Meredith, Heath Bell, Scott Linebrink and Doug Brocail.

Bell got out of a jam in the seventh inning. With one out Ryan Langerhans walked and Cristian Guzman singled to left field. The rally ended when Belliard grounded into a double play and the Nationals did not threaten again.

Offensively Giles had a three-hit day and was on base four times for the Padres. Sledge added a pair of hits.

Washington's Dmitri Young went hitless a day after his franchise record eight straight hits was snapped Saturday.

"We played a good game," Zimmerman said. "It was just a sloppy game."