Soto shines in DC return as Padres down Nationals 7-4

**Lane Thomas, Luis Garcia** Washington Nationals' Lane Thomas (28) celebrates with teammate Luis Garcia, right, after scoring a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts** San Diego Padres' Juan Soto celebrates with teammate Xander Bogaerts (2) after scoring a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**Padres Nationals Baseball** San Diego Padres' Juan Soto reacts as he scores a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**Juan Soto, Keibert Ruiz** San Diego Padres' Juan Soto acknowledges the crowd and waves next to Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) during the first inning of a baseball game in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**Yu Darvish** San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**MacKenzie Gore** Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**CJ Abrams** Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams (5) hits a two-run homer during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

**CJ Abrams** Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams rounds bases after hitting a two-run homer during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto hit his ninth home run and had three hits to begin a three-game visit to his former team as the San Diego Padres earned a 7-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

A Juan Soto homer in D.C. is a familiar sight. pic.twitter.com/rFGiidytQv

— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023

Jake Cronenworth followed Soto’s seventh-inning solo shot with a two-run homer two batters later as the Padres scored four times off Nationals reliever Erasmo Ramirez (2-2).

Xander Bogaerts and Brandon Dixon also went deep earlier against Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, the headliner of six players the rebuilding Nationals received from the Padres in exchange for Soto and Josh Bell at last year’s trade deadline.

San Diego’s Yu Darvish (3-3) allowed back-to-back homers to CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas in the fifth inning, but no other damage in a six-inning effort.

Josh Hader worked a scoreless ninth for his 12th save in 14 chances.

Gore pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and four walks in his first start against his former team.

Soto’s performance was easily his best in eight games against the Nationals since leaving Washington. And his previous three-game series here as a visitor came less than two weeks after the trade, so Tuesday felt more like the first homecoming.

It included a standing ovation from the announced crowd of 21,438 on his first trip to the plate, which Soto recognized by facing the stands, raising his helmet skyward and then motioning toward his heart. He connected with Gore’s next pitch up the middle for a single to begin a night that lifted his season batting average to .260 and his May mark to .343.

Fernando Tatis Jr. put San Diego in front for good on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly to shallow right. Rougned Odor raced home ahead of a throw cut off by Ramirez when a close play at the plate appeared likely.

The next inning, Soto hit Ramirez’s 1-1 offering, sending it 441 feet over the center field wall. Cronenworth’s two-run shot that followed was initially ruled a double, but was upgraded to a home run after replay showed it struck a metal railing just beyond the wall in right-center.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: 3B Manny Machado (hand fracture) took dry swings, hit off a tee and threw long toss before Tuesday’s game. “No idea yet on Friday,” manager Bob Melvin said regarding Machado’s chances of returning from the 10-day injured list on the first day he is eligible. “But I know today was a better day for him.”

Nationals: Minor league LHP and former Nats closer Sean Doolittle (elbow surgery) will pitch on consecutive days Wednesday for the first time during his rehab at extended spring training. … RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery) returned to the team’s spring training facility in Florida after spending the weekend in Washington. … C Israel Pineda (broken right finger) has been assigned to a rehab assignment at High-A Wilmington.

UP NEXT

Padres: LHP Ryan Weathers (1-2, 3.42) makes his first career start in Washington on Wednesday.

Nationals: RHP Trevor Williams (1-2, 4.26) seeks his first home win in five attempts.

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