SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 25, 2025 — The San Diego Padres narrowly defeated the Washington Nationals 4-3 in a closely contested game at Petco Park on June 24, 2025. The Padres, now 43-36 and third in the NL West, relied on timely hitting and solid relief pitching to secure the victory, while the Nationals, 33-47 and fifth in the NL East, fell short despite a strong effort.
The game saw both teams trade runs early. The Nationals struck first in the second inning when Daylen Lile scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jacob Young, followed by a walk to James Wood that drove in Riley Adams, giving Washington a 2-0 lead. Wood added another RBI in the fourth with a groundout, scoring Young to make it 3-0. The Padres responded in the fourth, with Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth driving in runs to cut the lead to 3-2. Martín Maldonado tied the game in the fifth with a solo home run, his fourth of the season. The decisive moment came in the sixth when Jose Iglesias grounded out, scoring Gavin Sheets to give San Diego a 4-3 edge.
Padres reliever Jason Adam earned the win, improving to 6-3 with a 1.77 ERA, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings. Robert Suarez secured his 22nd save, closing out the ninth with a perfect inning. Nationals starter Trevor Williams took the loss, falling to 3-9 with a 5.65 ERA after allowing four runs over five innings. “It feels good to see all my hard work pay off,” Adam said after the game, reflecting on his performance.
CJ Abrams led the Nationals’ offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and a walk, while Young contributed two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base. For the Padres, Maldonado’s home run and Cronenworth’s RBI double proved critical. Both teams recorded seven hits, but the Nationals left eight runners on base, including three in scoring position, hindering their comeback efforts.
The game, attended by 41,229 fans, lasted 2 hours and 28 minutes under clear skies with 67-degree weather. Umpires Gabe Morales, Mike Muchlinski, Austin Jones, and Doug Eddings officiated.
The Padres’ bullpen, featuring Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, and Suarez, shut down the Nationals after the fifth, allowing just one hit. Washington’s relievers—Cole Henry, Jose A. Ferrer, and Eduardo Salazar—kept the game close, combining for three scoreless innings. Despite the loss, Nationals manager Dave Martinez praised his team’s effort, noting Young’s hustle and Abrams’ consistency at the plate.
This matchup highlighted the Padres’ ability to capitalize on key moments, while the Nationals struggled to convert opportunities. The teams are set to continue their series, with Washington aiming to even the score in the next game.
