Final
Braves slip by Padres
Sep 15, 2013 - 4:54 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with a solo homer, Kris Medlen tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres, 2-1, in the second test of a three-game series.Chris Johnson went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Braves, who saw their magic number to clinch the NL East shrink to four. Washington lost to Philadelphia on Saturday and now trails Atlanta by 11 games in the division.
Medlen (14-12) gave up just four hits while striking out five for Atlanta, which bounced back from a 4-3 loss in the series opener on Friday. The right- hander won his fourth straight start.
"I think tonight more than even the past few, I established all three pitches early," Medlen said. "I knew I was going to have to establish all three, and usually it takes a couple innings to kind of get the curveball going, but everything felt really good from the get-go, and I just mixed pitches pretty nicely."
Robbie Erlin (2-3) got the start for San Diego and allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings.
Johnson's RBI single in the fourth broke a scoreless tie. Justin Upton and Freeman hit back-to-back singles to start the inning, and following two quick outs, Upton raced home on Johnson's single to left.
Freeman led off the sixth with a homer to left to increase the lead to 2-0.
"In the later innings, [my pitch count] crept up, resulting in a home run and base hits," Erlin said. "But I'm feeling more confident with my offspeed pitches."
Meanwhile, Medlen was on cruise control after stranding runners on first and second in the second. He was replaced by David Carpenter in the eighth after giving up a one-out single to Will Venable, who stole second before Carpenter retired the next two batters.
Chase Headley's homer off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth made it a one-run game. Kimbrel, though, worked around a two-out walk to record his career-best 47th save -- the most in the majors this season.
Game Notes
The Padres lead the season series by a 4-1 margin ... Medlen improved to 3-2 lifetime against the Padres ... Atlanta's B.J. Upton drew three walks ... San Diego went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven.
- SAN DIEGO: 1
ATLANTA: 2
Final
Sep 14 10:03 PM - Nick Hundley grounded out third to first to end the game.
Sep 14 10:02 PM - Chase Headley lead-off Home Run (12) to right. Kyle Blanks due up.
Padres 1, Braves 2 Top 9, 0 OutsSep 14 9:52 PM - Freddie Freeman lead-off Home Run (21) to left. Evan Gattis due up.
Padres 0, Braves 2 Bot 6, 0 OutsSep 14 8:45 PM - Chris Johnson single to left scored Justin Upton. On the play, Freddie Freeman advances to second. Runners on first and second with two outs and Andrelton Simmons due up.
Padres 0, Braves 1 Bot 4, 2 OutsSep 14 8:14 PM - SAN DIEGO: 0
ATLANTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 14 7:12 PM
Related News
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Raisel Iglesias Dec 26
- This Day in Braves History: Phil Niekro passes away Dec 26
- Christmas Day open thread Dec 25
- This Day in MLB History: December 25 Dec 25
- Christmas Eve open thread Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carty Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carey Dec 24
- Braves News: Holiday pause, season reviews, more Dec 24
- 2023 Minor league season in review: Luis De Avila Dec 23
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Ozzie Albies Dec 23
- This Day in Braves History: J.D. Drew signs with Dodgers Dec 23
- Braves News: Offseason evaluation, season reviews, and more Dec 23