Ryan Ludwick hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning to propel the San Diego Padres to a 5-4 triumph over the host Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Ludwick's two-out infield hit off Nationals reliever Drew Storen (4-2) brought home Jorge Cantu with the winning run. Ludwick finished with three hits Sunday to break out of a 2-for-18 slump that had lowered his average to .228.

Luke Gregerson (2-1) tossed two innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory. Heath Bell worked a perfect ninth inning for his 12th save.

Storen absorbed the loss and has now surrendered five runs in his last three innings of work. The hard-throwing righty had limited opponents to just two runs in his first 23 2/3 innings to open the season.

Ludwick and Brad Hawpe drove in two runs apiece as the Padres won two out of three games in Washington. Jayson Werth had three hits and an RBI for the Nationals.

Washington starter Yunesky Maya struggled in his regular-season debut and was charged with four runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. Padres starter Dustin Moseley surrendered three runs - two earned - on six hits in his five-inning stint.