Washington takes series opener with San Diego, 8-3

Stephen Strasburg picked up his fourth win in five decisions as the Washington Nationals topped the San Diego Padres 8-3 Tuesday night in Nationals Park.

Strasburg (8-6, 4.14 ERA) went six innings, giving up two runs on two hits, striking out seven and walking one, and won his second game in three starts since returning from the DL on Aug. 8, a stretch that has seen his ERA drop from 4.76 to 4.14.

James Shields (9-6, 3.89 ERA) took the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits in five and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking four.

Wilson Ramos hit a two-run homer in the second, his 11^th of the season, and Ryan Zimmerman hit a game-breaking grand slam in the sixth, his 10^th of the season.

Denard Span returned to the lineup from the DL and was 0-for-4 in the leadoff spot.

Washington (63-61) has won five of its last seven, but remains five and a half games back in the NL East.