SAN DIEGO -- Ildemaro Vargas spent three and a half minutes answering questions about his standout performance in the Nationals’ 3-1 win over the Padres on Thursday night at Petco Park. He spoke of his home run, being the only batter to do damage against Yu Darvish for most of his impressive start and his presence in the infield.

As the interview wrapped up, Vargas noted he had something else he wanted to add. 

“One last thing is, I want to dedicate this home run to my mother,” he said. “She told me today that I was going to have a good game.”

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Talking to his mother, Gaudys Barreto, is part of Vargas’ daily routine. While he has not seen her since he visited Venezuela in January because of a visa issue, he stays connected with her through pregame conversations.

Barreto offers Vargas far more than pep talks as a 31-year-old Major Leaguer. She was closely involved in his development, which led to him signing with the Cardinals in 2008 and a career that has included 14 seasons in the Minor Leagues and six in the bigs.

“She told me, ‘If you strike out, you are not eating arepas,’” Vargas recounted her saying when he was younger with a smile, adding, “She is my best hitting coach.”

Vargas has been implementing those discussions since he was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 1 after the Nationals traded utility infielder Ehire Adrianza to the Braves. In 13 games with Washington, he is slashing .341/.362/.432 with a .794 OPS and four RBIs.

“[His offense helped me] a lot,” said starter Aníbal Sánchez, who tossed five innings of one-run ball. “This guy has got really good defense. I don’t know how he spent so much time in the Minors, but he’s really good here.”

When Darvish was dominant for 8 1/3 innings on Thursday, Vargas found ways to do damage. He belted his second home run of the season (and 10th of his six-year career) in the third inning, sending a cutter a Statcast-estimated 398 feet into right field at 105.3 mph.

The Nationals failed to record another hit until Vargas came to the plate in the sixth and connected on a line-drive single to center field.

“He’s been really good since we got him, he really has,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Today, he got us going with the home run. He’s swinging the bat well.”

The Nationals have turned to Vargas to fill multiple roles on defense. He has played second base, shortstop and third base throughout his career, as well as stints at first base and the outfield on the Major League level. Manning the hot corner on Thursday, his hustle play to chase down a Juan Soto popup in foul territory was an example of his drive. Martinez also likes having him play alongside 21-year-old shortstop CJ Abrams as a veteran presence.

“We knew [Vargas] could field his position anywhere we put him,” said Martinez. “We also knew that he brought a lot of energy. He’s a guy, honestly, in our clubhouse and our dugout, he’s always fired up and ready to go. … I love that. Especially with some of the young kids, he gets them going.”

While Vargas has been playing hard for the name across the front of his jersey, he is driven by the name tattooed on his forearm. He proudly pointed out “Gaudys” scrawled in large letters.

“I love you, Mom,” he said.