Nationals 2 - 1 Padres
Final
  for this game

Marquis, Morse help Nats edge Padres

Jun 11, 2011 - 6:38 AM San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Jason Marquis went six innings and a two-run home run from Michael Morse gave the Washington Nationals a 2-1 win in the second of a four-game series against San Diego.

Marquis (7-2) gave up just one run on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts for the Nationals, who had lost five of seven coming in.

Ryan Ludwick drove in the lone run for the Padres, who had won five of seven coming into the contest. Mat Latos (4-7) got the loss as he gave up the home run and four hits over six innings.

"I thought (Latos') velocity was as good as we've seen this year," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "Pitched aggressive with the fastball. Just the one pitch he'd like to have back was the difference in the game."

The second inning saw the Nationals take the lead as Laynce Nix led off with a single and Morse followed with his 10th home run of the year, a blast to left field.

Ludwick led off the fifth with a double for San Diego and Anthony Rizzo was then hit by a pitch, but Marquis set down the next three batters to escape the jam.

The Padres got on the board in the sixth, but again blew a chance for more. With one out, Chris Denorfia doubled and Jason Bartlett followed with a single. After Brad Hawpe walked, Ludwick drew a free pass to force home Denorfia. However, Rizzo struck out and Jorge Cantu grounded out to third to end the frame.

"Very stressful inning, but to come out of that with one run, that's good veteran pitching right there," said Washington manager Jim Riggleman about Marquis.

Tyler Clippard pitched a 1-2-3 seventh then worked around a leadoff walk in the eighth.

Drew Storen came on to close the game and Rizzo walked to begin the frame. But Cantu grounded into a double play and, after a pinch-hit single from Kyle Phillips, pinch-hitter Nick Hundley struck out as Storen picked up his 13th save of the season.

Game Notes

San Diego batted just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base...San Diego took two of three in Washington near the end of May...Morse has 36 RBI on the season...Marquis improved to 7-5 against the Padres over 14 games...Latos fell to 3-1 in four starts against the Nats.






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