SAN DIEGO, May 29 (UPI) -- San Diego center-fielder Jody Gerut hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday to secure San Diego's 5-2 victory against Washington.
The homer off reliever Charlie Manning snapped a 2-2 tie.
Michael Barrett had two hits and seven players had one hit each for the Padres, who took two games of the three-game series.
Starter Wilfredo Ledesma gave up an earned run and three hits in five innings in his best outing this season. The right-hander walked three batters and struck out seven.
The winner was reliever Heath Bell (2-3) and closer Trevor Hoffman earned his 11th save this season in his 900th career appearance, the 19th major league pitcher to reach that plateau.
Washington got Elijah Dukes' fourth inning sacrifice fly and Ryan Langerhans RBI single in the seventh.
Felipe Lopez and Aaron Boone had the other hits for the Nationals, who have dropped three of four.
The losing pitcher was Saul Rivera (3-3).
