PITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Nick Pivetta (9-2, 2.88 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 122 strikeouts); Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (4-8, 3.02 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 138 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.

Xander Bogaerts’ grand slam gets Padres on way to 8-1 victory; Nick Pivetta allows one run over six innings for his 10th victory

After the Padres took down the Nationals during Sunday's matchup, starter Mackenzie Gore acknowledged his poor performance.

Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam in the first inning, Elias Díaz also homered and the San Diego Padres routed the Washington Nationals 8-1 on Sunday. Bogaerts hit the first pitch he saw from MacKenzie Gore (4-9) into the seats in left for his sixth homer of the season and eighth career grand slam.

The Padres, who are 53-44 and in possession of the National League’s final wild-card playoff spot, scored once against Nationals starter Michael Soroka (3-8, 5.10).

The Padres entered play Tuesday with a 3.60 team ERA -- the best mark in the National League. They’ve managed it, somehow, despite a revolving door at the back of their starting rotation. Yu Darvish missed the first 3 1/2 months.

Nathaniel Lowe homered and the Washington Nationals snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.

The Washington Nationals aim to stop their four-game home losing streak with a victory over the San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres scratched center fielder Jackson Merrill before their final game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.