Strasburg, Zimmerman lead Nats to 8-3 win

Stephen Strasburg gave up a leadoff single to Yonder Alonso in the second. Jedd Gyorko then smacked Strasburg's 97 mph fastball over the wall in left for a two-run homer. Strasburg retired the next three Padres in order. The right-hander has four strikeouts through two innings.

The fans at Nationals Park welcomed Denard Span back from the disabled list with a standing ovation before his first at-bat. Span grounded out to shortstop.

Update: Yunel Escobar singled off Padres starter James Shields to start the second. Three batters later, Wilson Ramos drilled a hanging curveball down the left field line for a two-out, two-run homer. It was Ramos' 11th home run of the season.

Update II: Anthony Rendon ripped a base knock to center with one out in the third. After Bryce Harper lined out to left, Escobar delivered a double down the left field line scoring Rendon all the way from first to give the Nats the lead.

Strasburg has struck out seven through four innings.

Update III: Harper roped a liner off the wall in right-center for a leadoff double in the fifth. After Escobar popped out and Ryan Zimmerman grounded out, Ian Desmond slapped a double to right plating Harper. All four of the Nats' runs have come with two outs.

Strasburg has retired the last 12 batters he has faced. All of the Padres' damage came in the second inning. Strasburg has allowed two runs on two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts through five innings. The right-hander has thrown 84 pitches.

Update IV: Rendon blistered a grounder off Shields' foot to reach on an infield single with two outs in the sixth. The Padres then went to left-hander Mark Rzepczynski to face Harper.

WIth the count 2-1, it appeared Harper fouled a ball off his right foot, knocking the slugger to his knees. Although, MASN replays showed the ball missing Harper's foot. It should have been a groundout to first to end the inning. Instead, the at-bat continued and Rzepczynski ended up walking Harper.

Padres manager Pat Murphy then went to right-hander Bud Norris, who promptly walked Escobar to load the bases. Zimmerman then cleared the bases with his fifth career grand slam. The rocket to right-center field sent the crowd into a frenzy and Zimmerman obliged them with a curtain call.

Strasburg retired the last 15 batters he faced. He allowed two runs on two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over six innings. Strasburg threw 102 pitches.

Right-hander Casey Janssen took over in the seventh and surrendered a solo homer to Gyorko.

Murphy was ejected in the seventh inning after a lengthy, heated argument with home plate umpire David Rackley.

Update V: Right-hander Blake Treinen finished off the Padres in the ninth.

The Nationals beat the Padres 8-3.