Travis d’Arnaurd’s two home runs and four RBI were all the Atlanta Braves needed as they beat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Sunday in the final game before the All-Star break.
Right-hander Randy Vásquez (2-5, 4.57 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk to take the loss, although it was the three-run home run d’Arnaurd hit off Stephen Kolek in the sixth inning that put the game away.
San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the first inning with three consecutive one-out singles by Donovan Solano, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. Two batters later, Braves third baseman Austin Riley saved starter Chris Sale fom a 3-0 Padres lead by diving to his left to grab a scorching grounder and throwing out Ha-Song Kim at first base to end the inning.
Pinch-hitter Luis Campusano hit a 445-foot two-run home run to the right field seats in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-3. That was all the Padres could do, as Manny Machado lined out with two runners on to end the inning.
The Padres finish the first half of the season at 50-49 and tied for second place in the National League West with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 6 ½ games.
Here are three takeaways:
SUMMER BREAK
It is time for the All-Star break, and the Padres really could use it. San Diego enters the break with a 6-3 loss to the Braves on Sunday afternoon, which ends a disappointing 2-6 homestand at Petco Park.
Just one week ago, the Padres were 49-43 and looking to gain much needed separation from the other National League teams fighting for a playoff spot. They did just the opposite by losing six of their last seven games and ending the first half of the season at 50-49.
In lighter news, the National League Wild Card race still remains a tight race, and the Padres still have hope.
SEAN REYNOLDS MLB DEBUT
On August 1, 2023, the Padres traded LHP Ryan Weathers to the Miami Marlins for 1B Garrett Cooper and RHP Sean Reynolds. At 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds, the hard throwing right-hander was called up from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.
Reynolds shined in his major league debut, as he pitched a scoreless seventh inning while striking out the side. Hopefully his high-velocity arm will help a struggling San Diego bullpen.
ARRAEZ TO SIT OUT ALL-STAR GAME WITH THUMB INJURY
Infielder Luis Arraez announced he will not play on Tuesday in the All-Star Game. He did not play in the first-half finale loss against the Braves, as he has been dealing with a jammed left thumb.
Arraez was named an All-Star for a third consecutive season – with a third different team.
The Padres open the second half with an interleague series in Cleveland.