Werth and Zimmerman homer, Ross another quality start (Nats beat Padres 4-2)

The Padres tallied the first run of the game after Joe Ross rolled through the first three innings.

The Nationals right-hander did not allow a hit through the first three frames.

But in the fourth, Cory Spangenberg hit a dribbler in front of home plate. Catcher Wilson Ramos retrieved it, but through wildly to first. The ball was not close to first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and sailed down the line into foul territory. Spangenberg ended up at third base. Ramos was charged with a two-base error on the play.

Yangervis Solarte brought Spangenberg home with a sacrifice fly deep to center field and the Padres led 1-0.

Ross battled out of the frame, pitching around a walk to Yonder Alonso.

The Nationals have managed four hits in the first four innings against Andrew Cashner, but have yet to plate a run.

San Diego 1-0 through four innings.

Update: The Nationals loaded the bases with none out in the fifth. Yunel Escobar was hit in the hand by pitch to force in a run and tie game at 1-1. Ryan Zimmerman smacked an RBI single up the middle, but Bryce Harper was thrown out at home plate by Melvin Upton Jr. It was Upton's second outfield assist of the game.

Escobar left the game with an apparent hand injury. Anthony Rendon shifted to third base and Danny Espinosa took over at second base to start the top of the sixth.

The Nationals lead 2-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth.

Update II: Jayson Werth crushed a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, his fourth of the season, and the Nationals lead 3-1 after six complete.

Ross was outstanding. He went six innings, allowed only one unearned run on one hitwith two walks and seven strikeouts. Ross threw 77 pitches, 48 for strikes. He threw only 82 pitches in his last start. So he has now allowed only one earned run in his last 13 innings.

Update III: In the top of the seventh, Michael A. Taylor, starting in place of Denard Span (sore back), crashed into the center field wall in pursuit of a drive off the bat of Upton. Taylor left the game with what appeared to be a knee injury. Espinosa went to left field, Harper to center field and Werth to right field. Trea Turner entered the game to play second base.

Upton ended up with a triple. San Diego did not score in the inning thanks to a diving stop by Anthony Rendon off the bat of pinch-hitter Jedd Gyroko. Rendon got up and fired a the ball to Zimmerman to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Zimmerman hit a solo shot, his 11th of the season, and the Nationals lead 4-1.

Update IV: Jonathan Papelbon allowed a run in the ninth but notched his 21st save. Nationals drop the Padres 4-2 to win the series. Max Scherzer gets call Friday night with Miami Marlins in town for three.