After trading with the Washington Nationals for Juan Soto in 2022, the San Diego Padres reached the National League Championship Series for the first time since their World Series appearance in 1998.
But they Padres paid a hefty price for Soto’s considerable services, which lasted only 214 games. One of the prospects forked over for Soto was James Wood, who loudly reminded San Diego of what it gave up Monday night with a three-run homer and four RBIs in Washington’s 10-6 series-opening win.
Wood could take another step toward burnishing credentials that should land him in next month’s All-Star Game when the series continues Tuesday in San Diego.
The left fielder enters the game with a .284 average, 22 homers and 61 RBIs on the season. He’s on pace for 45 homers and could flirt with 125 RBIs, 20 steals and 100 walks in his first full MLB season.
Manager Dave Martinez and Wood’s teammates are clamoring for him to be invited to the Home Run Derby next month in Atlanta.
“It’s been brought up,” Wood said. “We’ll see. That’d be cool if I’m invited. So let’s try to get that first.”
Wood’s heroics highlighted a 15-hit attack that brought Washington its first win over the Padres since June 25, 2023. The only negative was the departure of catcher Keibert Ruiz in the fourth inning after he was hit by a foul ball in the dugout.
Martinez said after the game that it was scary for him and the players.
“He had a nice lump on his head,” Martinez said of Ruiz. “They were asking questions and he was answering correctly. Hopefully, he’s OK because he wants to play every day.”
If Ruiz can play, he’ll be behind the plate for scheduled starter Trevor Williams (3-8, 5.54 ERA).
Williams last pitched on Thursday, allowing two runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 frames of the team’s 4-3 win in 11 innings over the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander, who walked one batter and struck out six, is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in five career games (four starts) against San Diego.
Rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert (1-0, 1.88) is set to take the ball for the Padres. His last outing was Thursday night when he opened with 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his team’s 5-3 win at the Los Angeles Dodgers, permitting just three hits and a walk while striking out three.
This will be his first career game against the Nationals.
San Diego will hope for a bit more length from Bergert than it received from Stephen Kolek on Monday. Kolek lasted only 4 1/3 innings, an all-too familiar trend for the team during a busy stretch of games in which its bullpen has been heavily taxed and not as unshakeable as it was earlier this season.
One bit of good news was the season debut of Bryan Hoeing, who returned to the active roster Saturday from a right shoulder strain that cropped up in spring training. Hoeing looked good on Monday night, retiring all four hitters he faced and striking out two.
“The bright spot was Hoeing,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “It’s nice to get him back.”
–Field Level Media
