Nationals 10, Padres 0
SAN DIEGO -- Jordan Zimmermann's pitching and Bryce Harper's 13th home run helped the Washington Nationals beat the San Diego Padres, 10-0, on Friday night.
Zimmermann (3-2) worked six scoreless innings, allowing six hits and a walk to win his fourth straight decision. He struck out six as the Padres were shut out for the fourth time in 11 games and for the sixth occasion this season.
Zimmermann lifted his record to 3-1 at Petco Park as reliever A.J. Cole blanked the Padres over the final three innings for his first save.
Harper's blast was just one of the Nationals' season-high 16 hits as they had little trouble with Padres starter Odrisamer Despaigne and the three relievers.
The win, however, could have come with a cost. Left fielder Jayson Werth was struck by a Despaigne pitch on the left wrist in the second inning. Werth ran the bases but was replaced on defense by Tyler Moore when Washington took the field. Werth was restricted to 81 games in 2012 because of a broken left wrist.
For the Padres, Despaigne (2-2) was battered for his second straight start, charged with seven runs and 10 hits in three innings. In his last two outings, both losses, Despaigne has given up 15 runs in eight innings.
What was troubling for the Padres is Despaigne's disappointing start came at home. In 12 career games, nine starts, at Petco Park, Despaigne was 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA. But on Friday, he battled his command as the Nationals had little trouble figuring out his deceptive arm angles and pitches.
For the Nationals, who had five players with at least two hits, it was their 13th win in 17 games and keeps alive their chances of winning their sixth consecutive series.
The Padres had a chance to cut into their deficit in the fifth, but couldn't score after loading the bases with no outs.
Harper's National League-leading 13th home run of the season in the fourth increased Washington's advantage to 8-0.
Washington tacked on three runs in the third inning for a 7-0 cushion as Despaigne continued to struggle. Second baseman Danny Espinosa had a two-run double, after shortstop Ian Desmond's RBI single.
Despaigne wasn't very good in his previous start and his follow-up followed suit.
The Nationals sent nine batters to the plate in a four-run first inning, with the first four batters getting hits.
Harper's RBI single drove in center fielder Denard Span, then first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's walk forced in third baseman Yunek Escobar.
Catcher Wilson Ramos didn't extend his major league-high, 16-game hitting streak -- that came with a third-inning single -- but his double-play ball chased in Werth. Desmond's single scored Harper to push the Nationals to a 4-0 lead.
NOTES: Nationals RHP Doug Fister was placed on the disabled list with tightness in his right forearm. Fister took Thursday's loss in San Diego, exiting after allowing seven runs in two innings. ... RHP A.J. Coles was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, his second stint with Washington this season. ... Padres manager Bud Black said OF Wil Myers (wrist) could be available for next week's series against the Cubs. ... RHP Josh Johnson, who is coming back from arm surgery, had a bullpen session earlier Friday.