MLB

Jake Cronenworth hits for cycle in Padres’ 24-8 win over Nationals

WASHINGTON — Jake Cronenworth hit for his first career cycle, Wil Myers had a grand slam and a two-run shot and the San Diego Padres set a franchise record for runs in a 24-8 blowout of the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

The Padres, who finished the first half by losing two of three to the Rockies, had 22 hits against seven pitchers. San Diego scored in every inning except the seventh as the Nationals allowed the most runs since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005 and tied for the most in D.C. history.

“That was just as relentless up and down the lineup I’ve seen our crew,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said. “The discipline in the zone, just the grinding ability, making them come to the zone, laying off pitches out of the zone. That, for an extended period of time was as nasty as I’ve seen our group.”

Cronenworth, who played in the All-Star Game, had a two-run double in the second, an RBI triple in the third, a solo homer in the fifth and an infield single against the shift in the sixth. Jurickson Profar replaced him at second base in the bottom of the seventh.

“Just tried to put something in play hard,” Cronenworth said of his at-bat in the sixth. “I know I didn’t put it in play hard, but I put in play and … some luck involved and I guess that’s how you put that one together.”

Cronenworth said he twice fell a single short of the cycle while in the minors.

Myers hit a grand slam to cap a seven-run second inning, and added a two-run homer in the sixth and an RBI single in the eighth.

Jake Croneworth, who hit for the cycle, celebrates after hitting a home run during the Padres' 24-8 blowout win over the Nationals.
Jake Cronenworth, who hit for the cycle, celebrates after hitting a home run during the Padres’ 24-8 blowout win over the Nationals. AP

Tommy Pham had four hits, including a homer, and scored five runs, and Jorge Mateo homered.

Padres starter Chris Paddack (5-6) allowed four runs in five innings.

Juan Soto had four hits, including two home runs, and Gerardo Parra had a three-run homer for Washington, which has lost five straight and 10 of 12.

Erick Fedde (4-7) allowed six runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Washington was without infielder Starlin Castro, who was placed on administrative leave Friday by Major League Baseball under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

“You know what, today was just a rough day all the way around,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “I’m going to go home, shake this one off and be ready to play tomorrow.”


Cronenworth’s cycle was the third in Padres history, following Matt Kemp (2015) and Myers (2017). Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies (2018) is the only other player to hit for the cycle against the Nationals (2005-present).