Baker will miss Padres series to be at son's graduation (M's win 4-2)

Dusty Baker will not manage the Nationals this weekend in a three-game series against the Padres because he will be attending his son Darren's high school graduation. Darren will attend UC Berkeley in the fall.

Bench coach Chris Speier will manage the club Friday, Saturday and Sunday against San Diego.

Without their manager this weekend due to the family event, the Nationals are allowed to call on an extra coach for the weekend. That consideration could go to co-field coordinator Jeff Garber.

"I'm going home after today's game," Dusty Baker said. "My son's graduating Saturday. Can't get there and get back for the game Sunday. It's a long ways. Fortunately for us, we play in San Francisco on Monday."

Baker also said he would take advantage of being back in his home state during the June 1 off-day and go fishing.

What fish does he look to catch?

"We are going for stripers, rockfish here, sturgeon, halibut in the bay," Baker said. "First we got to win."

Update: Gio Gonzalez has struck out five, benefitted from two double plays and most importantly has allowed no runs and no hits in four innings of work. The Nationals have also yet to record a hit but have hit the ball hard against Mariners left-handed starter Ariel Miranda. Mid-fourth, no score at Nats Park.

Update II: Anthony Rendon cannot be stopped. You cannot even hope to contain him.

Rendon hit his ninth homer of the season to lead off the fifth and break the ice in what was a duel no-hitter through four frames. Rendon launched a Miranda offering into the left field stands for No. 9 on the season. It was his fourth homer in the past three games. The three-game home run streak is a new career high.

With one out, Jose Lobaton doubled. With two outs, Trea Turner walked. Jayson Werth singled Lobaton home and the Nats upped the advantage to 2-0. The three hits in the inning were the Nats' first base knocks against Miranda.

After five innings, the Nationals lead the Mariners 2-0.

Update III: The Mariners countered by chasing Gonzalez in the sixth. Gonzalez allowed two singles and then Jacob Turner gave up a game-changing three-run shot to Nelson Cruz. It was Cruz's 12th homer of the season.

Gonzalez goes 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with four walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 50 for strikes.

After five a half innings, the Mariners lead 3-2 over the Nationals.

Update IV: Jacob Turner allowed two singles and a fielder's choice in the seventh. Mark Grace arrived and allowed a run-scoring single to Robinson Canó. Blake Treinen surrendered a walk but then induced a 4-6-3 double play by Kyle Seager.

Mid-seventh, the Mariners lead the Nationals 4-2.

Update V: Although Matt Albers and Oliver Pérez did their job, the bullpen could not hold the lead again. Meanwhile, Edwin Díaz came in and pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

The Mariners end a five-game losing streak and salvage the final game of the series. The Nationals managed only five hits on the day.

Final score: Mariners 4, Nationals 2.