Giles, bullpen lead Padres past Nationals

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres got a much-needed boost from Marcus Giles and their bullpen. Giles had two hits in his return from a brief absence on Wednesday and the San Diego bullpen pitched well in relief of injured starter Clay Hensley as the Padres posted a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. Hensley left the game with a strained groin in the third inning. He is listed as day-to-day. "It doesn't look good," Padres manager Bud Black said. Doug Brocail (2-0) came on in relief of Hensley and picked up the win with two perfect innings. Heath Bell, Cla Meredith, Scott Linebrink and Royce Ring combined to pitch the final five innings for the Padres.

San Diego broke the game open with a five-run fourth, highlighted by a two-run double by Giles, who had missed the last two games with a rib injury. "It feels great to get back into the mix with the guys and help us win a game," Giles said. Adrian Gonzalez homered off Ray King leading off the eighth inning and Terrmel Sledge added an RBI double later in the frame for the Padres. With the win, the Padres prevented the Nationals from winning their first series of the season.

Logo: Padres/MLB