Ian Kennedy leads the Padres to a series split against the Nationals

-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego, CA- The the San Diego Padres on a two game losing streak, Ian Kennedy carried the Padres with a strong outing to a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals to split the four game series.

The Nationals scored the games first run in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double by Anthony Rendon and an RBI double by Jayson Werth to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.

Chris Denorfia would tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth as he scored on a sacrifice fly by Jedd Gyorko.

The Padres would take the lead in the top of the fifth, as singled with two outs, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Denorfia would bring in Cabrera on an RBI single to center to give the Padres the lead 2-1.

The Padres would load the bases in the top of the sixth, and increase their lead to 4-1 as Cabrera and Denorfia walked to bring home a run.

Ian Kennedy improved to (2-3) on the season retiring 20 of the 22 hitters he faced, allowing only one run on three hits, while striking out nine in seven innings of work.

The Nationals would cut the Padres lead in half in the bottom of the eighth as Nate McLouth homered off Joaquin Benoit to cut the Padres lead to 4-2.

Thats as close as the Nationals would get as Huston Street would close out the game in the 9th to seal the win for the Padres.

Cameron Maybin, who had been on the disabled list since the start of spring training with a ruptured biceps tendon, returned going 2-4 in his first game back.