Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>The Washington Nationals are hoping they've started to end their struggles in San Diego.</div>The Nationals will be trying for their first series win at Petco Park on Thursday when they wrap up a three-game set with the Padres.Washington's last series victory in San Diego came Aug. 17-19, 2001, when it won two of three at Qualcomm Park as the Montreal Expos. In 2004, the Padres (20-34) moved into Petco, where the Nationals have lost 11 of 15.Washington (23-31) has not won consecutive games in San Diego since Sept. 11-12, 1999. Of course, the Nationals haven't fared much better against the Padres at home, as they have dropped 23 of the last 30 meetings overall.However, Washington ended a three-game losing streak in the series on Wednesday, winning 6-4. Jesus Flores hit his first career grand slam and Lastings Milledge added a solo homer as the Nationals won for the third time in six games.Washington scored more than five runs for just the second time in 15 contests."Jesus has been playing real good baseball and showing that he belongs on this team," Milledge said. "He's playing good ball and I am expecting big things from him."The Padres, meanwhile, failed to earn their first three-game winning streak of the season. Scott Hairston homered for San Diego, which is tied with Seattle for the worst record in the majors.The Padres, who scored three runs in the seventh, fell to 4-5 on their current 10-game homestand."We did battle back and had the tying run at the plate a couple of times," manager Bud Black told the Padres' official team Web site. "We had our opportunities, but just couldn't get the big hit. We got down 4-0 and 6-1, and we fought back to where they had to bring in their closer, but we couldn't get that hit."Wilfredo Ledezma (0-2, 4.65 ERA), who has lost both of his starts in place of injured ace Jake Peavy, will try to help the Padres hit the road on a high note.Ledezma was battered for five runs in three innings of Saturday's 7-2 loss to Cincinnati, and is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in three starts this season."My fastball started getting up in the second inning and I just couldn't control it," Ledezma said. "I'm just trying to stay positive and do the best I can."Ledezma made two relief appearances against the Nationals last season, throwing three scoreless innings without a decision.Washington counters with John Lannan (4-5, 3.57), who gave up three runs in five innings of Saturday's 5-2 loss to Milwaukee. He was unable to build on his longest start of the season, a 2-1 win in Baltimore six days earlier in which he threw 7 1-3 innings."I wasn't really commanding it on the outside of the plate and I had trouble going inside. I had my changeup today, which helped out a little bit, but the fastball wasn't there for me and I kind of got away from it in that one inning," Lannan said.Lannan, 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in six road starts this season, will face San Diego for the first time.

The Washington Nationals are hoping they've started to end their struggles in San Diego.

The Nationals will be trying for their first series win at Petco Park on Thursday when they wrap up a three-game set with the Padres.

Washington's last series victory in San Diego came Aug. 17-19, 2001, when it won two of three at Qualcomm Park as the Montreal Expos. In 2004, the Padres (20-34) moved into Petco, where the Nationals have lost 11 of 15.

Washington (23-31) has not won consecutive games in San Diego since Sept. 11-12, 1999. Of course, the Nationals haven't fared much better against the Padres at home, as they have dropped 23 of the last 30 meetings overall.

However, Washington ended a three-game losing streak in the series on Wednesday, winning 6-4. Jesus Flores hit his first career grand slam and Lastings Milledge added a solo homer as the Nationals won for the third time in six games.

Washington scored more than five runs for just the second time in 15 contests.

"Jesus has been playing real good baseball and showing that he belongs on this team," Milledge said. "He's playing good ball and I am expecting big things from him."

The Padres, meanwhile, failed to earn their first three-game winning streak of the season. Scott Hairston homered for San Diego, which is tied with Seattle for the worst record in the majors.

The Padres, who scored three runs in the seventh, fell to 4-5 on their current 10-game homestand.

"We did battle back and had the tying run at the plate a couple of times," manager Bud Black told the Padres' official team Web site. "We had our opportunities, but just couldn't get the big hit. We got down 4-0 and 6-1, and we fought back to where they had to bring in their closer, but we couldn't get that hit."

Wilfredo Ledezma (0-2, 4.65 ERA), who has lost both of his starts in place of injured ace Jake Peavy, will try to help the Padres hit the road on a high note.

Ledezma was battered for five runs in three innings of Saturday's 7-2 loss to Cincinnati, and is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in three starts this season.

"My fastball started getting up in the second inning and I just couldn't control it," Ledezma said. "I'm just trying to stay positive and do the best I can."

Ledezma made two relief appearances against the Nationals last season, throwing three scoreless innings without a decision.

Washington counters with John Lannan (4-5, 3.57), who gave up three runs in five innings of Saturday's 5-2 loss to Milwaukee. He was unable to build on his longest start of the season, a 2-1 win in Baltimore six days earlier in which he threw 7 1-3 innings.

"I wasn't really commanding it on the outside of the plate and I had trouble going inside. I had my changeup today, which helped out a little bit, but the fastball wasn't there for me and I kind of got away from it in that one inning," Lannan said.

Lannan, 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in six road starts this season, will face San Diego for the first time.