Slumping Marcell Ozuna belted a two-run homer and Austin Riley added a go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning to lift the host Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday.
The Padres stunned the Braves by scoring four runs to take a 5-2 lead in the top of the eighth. Atlanta, however, responded with its own four-run rally to regain the lead.
The Braves tied it against Steven Wilson (3-1) on an RBI single by Ozzie Albies and a two-run shot by Ozuna, who was in a 3-for-45 slump. It was Ozuna’s fifth homer and first since April 17 against the Padres. Atlanta took the lead when Travis d’Arnaud scored on Riley’s double.
The winning pitcher was Kenley Jansen (2-0), who worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out two batters
Atlanta scored a run in the first inning on Matt Olson’s solo home run. It was his first homer since May 3.
The Braves made it 2-0 with a run in the third inning. William Contreras walked and scored after Albies slapped a double just inside the first-base line.
The Padres scored a run in the fifth when Trent Grisham doubled home Wil Myers.
Errors by first baseman Olson and third baseman Riley opened the door for San Diego to score four unearned runs against reliever Will Smith in the eighth.
Jorge Alfaro drove the first run home with a single and two more runs scored when Riley threw away a potential double-play ball. Eric Hosmer legged out a grounder to prevent a double play and allow another run to score.
Neither starter received a decision.
Atlanta’s Charlie Morton worked six innings and allowed one run on three hits, one walk and a season-high seven strikeouts.
Sean Manaea pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits, two walks and 12 strikeouts – one shy of matching his career high. He was removed after allowing a leadoff walk in the eighth.
The teams will play a rubber game on Sunday. The season series is tied 3-3.
–Field Level Media
