Nationals 3, Padres 1: Gio Gonzalez pitched six shutout innings and Chad Tracy delivered a two-run pinch single to lead host Washington.

Gonzalez (2-0) allowed just two hits in six innings while not allowing a run for the third consecutive start as the Nationals won their third consecutive contest.
Henry Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

Padres starter Clayton Richard (1-2) allowed just one hit over the first six innings before wilting in the seventh.

Washington’s Xavier Nady led off the seventh with a double and Wilson Ramos drew a walk. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, Tracy singled up the middle to drive in both runners and finish Richard’s night.

The Padres pulled within a run in the bottom of the seventh when Andy Parrino singled to center with runners on first and second. Washington’s Jayson Werth bobbled the ball, which allowed Cameron Maybin to score.

Rick Ankiel had a run-scoring pinch-hit single in the ninth to give Washington an important insurance run.

Gonzalez struck out six and walked two.

Richard allowed just three hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked five.

Gonzalez threw seven innings of two-hit shutout ball in each of his previous two starts.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) missed his second straight game. … Shortstop Jason Bartlett and right fielder Will Venable made errors to raise San Diego’s season total to 21. … Tracy was just 2-for-14 on the season before his decisive hit. … Padres manager Bud Black was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing a balk call on Richard.