ATLANTA—Manny Machado’s two-run, eighth-inning double Monday capped a San Diego Padres’ comeback from a five-run deficit in a 6–5 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the opening game of a day-night doubleheader.
The Braves blew a 5–0 lead, wasting a strong start from Reynaldo López, in their season-high fourth straight loss. Machado’s double off Joe Jiménez (1–1) drove in Jurickson Profar and Jake Cronenworth to cap a four-run inning. Cronenworth singled in two runs earlier.
“It’s been all year. We haven’t really left the fight,” Machado said. “This team, until that last out is made, we’re going to continue to fight.”
Atlanta led 5–2 before San Diego’s four-run eighth. The Padres had lost 117 consecutive games when trailing by three runs through seven innings since their most recent such comeback on May 29, 2021, at Houston.
“Oh my gosh. I love this team. I just love this team,” Manager Mike Shildt said.
Mr. Shildt said Machado’s go-ahead hit was “Manny doing Manny things.”
Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning for Atlanta, which had 12 hits after being held to a combined two runs and 11 hits while losing the first two games of the series.
Ronald Acuña Jr. had three of the Braves’ nine hits in four innings against San Diego starter Dylan Cease, who previously had not given up more than six hits in a game this season.
Olson and Michael Harris II had run-scoring singles in the first.
López allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings in the matchup against Cease, his former Chicago White Sox teammate.
Jhony Brito (1–2) gave up one hit in a scoreless seventh for the Padres. Robert Suarez, helped by shortstop Ha-Seong Kim’s diving catch of a popup hit by Harris in shallow center field, pitched a perfect ninth for his 13th save.
Trainer’s Room
Padres: Second baseman Xander Bogaerts suffered what the team called mild left-shoulder inflammation and left the game in the third inning. Bogaerts was hurt while diving for a bases-loaded single by Acuña. Mr. Shildt said imaging test results were negative and more tests are scheduled. Tyler Wade replaced Bogaerts. ... Right-hander Logan Gillaspie, promoted from Triple-A El Paso, Texas, to serve as the 27th man in the doubleheader, threw two scoreless innings.Braves: Right-hander Daysbel Hernández worked out of a jam in a scoreless ninth after he was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett, Ga., to serve as the 27th man. ... Right-hander Jackson Stephens elected free agency after declining his outright assignment to Gwinnett. ... Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (head contusion) was expected to return for the second game. Catcher Sean Murphy (strained left oblique), who has been out since March 30, is set to begin his rehab assignment.
