Braves’ bats fall silent in 3-1 loss to Padres

The Atlanta Braves’ offense fell silent on Wednesday managing just four hits in a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. Atlanta drops 2-of-3 in the series and falls into a virtual tie with Washington in the NL East standings.

Freddie Freeman got things going early when he connected on a first inning home run off of Matt Strahm. The Padres would strike back quickly in the second against Mike Foltynewicz. Hunter Renfroe singled and then came around to score on a triple by Cory Spangenberg to tie the game. San Diego would take the lead two batters later as Manuel Margot singled off the glove of a leaping Ozzie Albies to score Spangenberg and put the Padres in front 2-1.

Foltynewicz would suffer no more damage but labored his way through just five innings while throwing 100 pitches. He allowed five hits, three walks and struck out eight.

Atlanta’s missed an opportunity in the eighth when Albies led off the inning with a double off of Padres’ reliever Brad Hand. However, Hand recovered and struck out Dansby Swanson, Freeman and Nick Markakis to end the threat.

San Diego tacked on an insurance run in the eighth as Jose Pirela scored on a safety squeeze bunt by Freddy Galvis. Hand set the Braves down in order in the ninth to secure the win.

Atlanta will enjoy an off day on Thursday before wrapping up their road trip with a three-game set against the Dodgers.