Chris Sale allowed only five hits in seven innings, continuing his strong performance as the Atlanta Braves broke their season-worst, four-game losing streak by defeating the San Diego Padres 3-0 on Monday night, splitting a doubleheader.
The Padres had won the first three games of the series. Manny Machado’s two-run double in the eighth inning gave San Diego the lead, and the Padres came back from a five-run deficit to win the first game of the twinbill, 6-5.
In the second game, Sale (7-1) struck out nine batters without issuing a walk, securing his sixth consecutive win. He has not allowed any runs in his last three starts, covering 20 innings. During this dominant stretch, he has accumulated 28 strikeouts and only one walk.
“I know about as well as anybody how quick that coin can flip,” Sale said. “There’s a long way to go and nothing to hang your hat on yet. … I wouldn’t say I’m totally satisfied.”
Sale served as the key player to end the four-game losing streak. “I think he expects to be that guy,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker, who added Sale “has been just nails” during his scoreless streak.
Pierce Johnson and Raisel Iglesias finished the seven-hitter, with Iglesias pitching a perfect ninth inning for his 11th save. The second game was scheduled due to rain postponing Saturday night’s game.
Marcell Ozuna hit home runs in each game and now has 14 this season. Ozuna’s fifth-inning liner over the left-field wall off Randy Vásquez (0-3) gave Atlanta a 3-0 lead in the second game.
Ronald Acuña Jr. started the game against Vásquez with his first triple of the season and scored on Ozzie Albies’ single.
The Braves lost a 5-0 lead in the first game, wasting a strong start from Reynaldo López. Machado’s double off Joe Jiménez (1-1) drove in Jurickson Profar and Jake Cronenworth to complete a four-run inning. Cronenworth singled in two runs in the same inning.
