Matt Waldron achieved a personal best with 10 strikeouts, helping the San Diego Padres secure a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, bouncing back from their recent series sweep.
Waldron, with a 2-5 record, conceded only one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Despite a shaky start in the first inning, where he allowed three hits and a run, Waldron made necessary adjustments to keep the Braves at bay.
Jurickson Profar contributed with a 2-for-5 performance, including an RBI and a run scored, while Jake Cronenworth went 3-for-5 with an RBI, all singles, among the Padres’ 13 hits.
Jeremiah Estrada secured his first save of the season with three strikeouts in the ninth inning, stepping in after the Padres used closer Robert Suarez in the eighth to face the Braves’ top hitters.
Max Fried, following a no-hit performance against the Mets, struggled against the Padres, conceding nine hits and three runs in 4 1/3 innings. Despite Matt Olson’s 2-for-4 effort with an RBI, the Braves fell short, striking out a season-high 18 times.
