Anibal Sanchez, Ender Inciarte lead Braves over Padres

Anibal Sanchez turned in another dazzling performance to help the Atlanta Braves record their third straight victory with a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres.

Atlanta jumped in front in the third inning as Ender Inciarte reached on an infield single and then moved up to second on a sacrifice by Sanchez. He came home as Ozzie Albies singled back through the middle to put the Braves in front 1-0.

Inciarte struck again in the fifth jumping on an inside cutter from Tyson Ross and driving it into the Chop House for his fifth home run of the season to make it 2-0.

That was more than enough for Sanchez who was in control from the start. San Diego threatened in the sixth as they put runners on the corners with just one out. However, Sanchez got Cory Spangenberg and Eric Hosmer to pop out on the infield to escape without any damage.

Sanchez’s final line was excellent as he allowed just four hits over seven shutout innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.

The Braves tacked on an insurance run in the seventh as Tyler Flowers was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a groundout by Inciarte.

Daniel Winkler came on in the eighth and retired the first two hitters he faced before running into trouble. Jose Pirela singled and moved up to second on a hit by Spangenberg. Eric Hosmer followed with a double down the line that scored both to cut Atlanta’s lead to 3-2. However, Winkler got Hunter Renfroe to line out to Albies to end the inning.

The Padres gift wrapped an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning. Adam Cimber retired Albies and Dansby Swanson but then allowed a two-out double to Freddie Freeman. After an intentional walk for Nick Markakis, Tyler Flowers bounced back to Cimber who’s throw sailed wide of Hosmer at first and allowed Freeman to come around and score to make it 4-2.

Arodys Vizcaino allowed a leadoff single in the ninth but retired the next three in order to seal the victory.

The series will continue on Friday with Brandon McCarthy on the mound for Atlanta. San Diego will counter with left hander Clayton Richard.