Mat Latos tossed seven scoreless innings and hit one of San Diego's four home runs as the Padres avoided a sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals with a 7-1 victory on Thursday.

Latos (10-4) won his fifth straight decision, limiting the Nationals to five hits and two walks while striking out eight. The 22-year-old, who improved to 3-0 lifetime against Washington, has allowed fewer than three earned runs in each of his last 13 starts.

Latos also contributed offensively, belting a solo homer in the fourth inning before singling and scoring on Chase Headley's two-run blast in the seventh. Headley fell a triple shy of the cycle, adding a single and a double.

Chris Denorfia and Jerry Hairston Jr. also went deep for the Padres, who raised their all-time record against the Nationals to 26-10.

Luis Atilano (6-6) lasted just 5 1/3 innings for Washington, surrendering four runs and eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The rookie has lost five of his last six decisions.

Adam Dunn delivered an RBI single in the eighth for the Nationals, who fell to 4-3 on their 10-game homestand.