Turner, Stras show San Diego what it's missing
Padres' former No. 1 pick homers to back Nats ace's homecoming
SAN DIEGO -- There was a time when Trea Turner was expected to become a regular at Petco Park, when the Padres selected him 13th overall in the 2014 Draft. Turner thought about that leading up to the Nationals' 8-5 victory over the Padres on Monday, which marked his first career game at this ballpark.
He promptly reminded the Padres of what could have been. In the first inning, Turner swatted a pitch from right-hander Tyson Ross into the stands in center field to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. Turner and returning hometown hero Stephen Strasburg helped carry the Nats to their eighth victory in nine games, along with a multihomer effort from Matt Adams.
But it was the performances of Turner and Strasburg that will likely give Padres fans the most angst.
Before he played a game for San Diego, Turner was traded to the Nationals after the 2014 season as part of the three-team deal that brought William Myers to Southern California. And in eight games against his former organization, Turner is batting .346 (9-for-26) with two home runs, two doubles and seven runs.
"I think anytime I play them, it's a reminder that I was there," Turner said. "Not that it was my decision, but no regrets about anything. Everything's worked out great for me, individually, and I'm happy to be part of this team."
In addition to Turner, the Nationals got Joe Ross from the Padres in that deal. They sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and Minor League pitcher Travis Ott to the Rays, who sent Myers to San Diego.
Myers was an All-Star in 2016 and hit 58 homers over the last two seasons for the Padres, and Turner has blossomed into one of the brightest young players in the league.
And while the Padres never got a chance to draft Strasburg, who was drafted first overall by the Nats out of San Diego State in 2009, he has nevertheless tormented his hometown team. Strasburg improved to 7-2 with a 3.05 ERA in nine career games against the Padres after throwing seven innings of three-run ball Monday night.
"I've been out in D.C. for a while," Strasburg said. "So D.C. is home now. But it's a good day to come back and see a lot of family."