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SB Nation    •   5 min read

Padres return from All-Star break with 7-2 win over Nationals

WHAT'S THE STORY?

San Diego Padres v Washington Nationals
Dylan Cease | Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Manny Machado hit the first grand slam home run of the 2025 season for the San Diego Padres in the top of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals. The home run led the Padres to a 7-2 win in their first game back from the All-Star break.

Machado stole the spotlight away from his teammates Elias Diaz and Dylan Cease with one swing of the bat. He also washed away the fact that All-Star reliever Jason Adam surrendered a two-run

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home run to C.J. Abrams in the bottom of the eighth inning that allowed the Nationals to tie the game, 2-2.

Machado was in a 1-2 count with the bases loaded against Washington reliever Kyle Finnegan when he broke the game open and put San Diego in front for good.

Diaz had been the offensive hero of the game prior to Machado’s homer. Diaz executed two sacrifice bunts in the game that resulted in runs for the Padres. The second sacrifice bunt resulted in a 3-2 lead for San Diego in the top of the ninth.

Cease started the game and for the first time this season, he had Diaz behind the plate. Cease completed 5 1/3 innings and scattered four hits, while not allowing a run to Washington. He also recorded 10 strikeouts and did not allow a walk.

The first run of the game for the Padres came in the second inning on a Jake Cronenworth sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Jackson Merrill to score. San Diego held the 1-0 lead until a sacrifice bunt by Diaz scored Bogaerts in the top of the seventh.

The Padres take on the Nationals in Washington for their second game of the series, Saturday at 3:45 p.m.

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