The San Diego Padres experienced their fifth rain delay since Petco Park opened in 2004, Thursday night, as they would go on to defeat the Washington Nationals 8-3.
Catcher Derek Norris—originally drafted by the Nationals in 2007—got the Friars on the board, after the rain delay in the top half of the first inning, with a three-run homer, his third of the season.
Next inning, Norris added a two-run triple to help the team jump out to a 7-0 lead on Nationals starter Doug Fister.
“I put a couple big swings on a couple mistakes,” Norris said via Padres.com. “After a bit of a tough road trip for me, it was nice to get off to a good start.”
Norris has had continued success against the team that originally drafted him, going 6-12 with three home runs and 12 RBIs lifetime.
He wasn’t doing all the damage, though.
Third baseman Cory Spangenberg added two solo homers on the night, his first two home runs of the season.
The only other member of the team to record an RBI was outfielder Justin Upton on a single in the second inning.
Right hander Tyson Ross (2-3) faced one batter—a strikeout against outfielder Denard Span— in the top of the first inning before the umpires declared a rain delay and the tarps were brought onto the field.
Ross struck out six batters over five innings after the delay, while allowing two runs, to pick up the win.
Thursday marked the sixth delay in Petco Park history, five for rain, and one for a bee infestation back in 2009.
The Padres and Nationals play again Friday night at 7:10 p.m., Odrisamer Despaigne (2-1, 5.13 ERA) will get the start against Jordan Zimmerman (2-2, 4.20 ERA).
