SAN DIEGO – The Braves and Padres resumed their July 21 suspended seven-inning contest Friday exactly as they left it – even with the inclement weather.
Following a 65-minute rain delay in San Diego, the Braves lost to the Padres 6-5 to complete a game that started over two months ago at Truist Park. Padres All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr. homered off Braves lefty Will Smith in the seventh to win it.
“That kid is not a good match for anybody,” manager Brian Snitker said of Tatis. “Bad location (on Smith’s fastball).”
The game, which was originally the nightcap of a doubleheader, resumed in the bottom of the fifth inning with the Braves down 5-4. The Braves were still considered the “home” team. Their players’ walk-up music played at Petco Park, which had a small crowd (though a modest Braves presence) for the resumed game.
Braves reliever Jesse Chavez and Padres reliever Pierce Johnson were the last pitchers used by their teams July 21. They both “started” the resumption. Johnson issued a pair of two-out walks to shortstop Dansby Swanson and first baseman Freddie Freeman, but second baseman Ozzie Albies flew out and third baseman Austin Riley struck out to end the fifth.
Outfielder Adam Duvall, who was a member of the Marlins when the first part of the game was played, homered in the sixth to tie it 5-5. His home run came off Daniel Hudson, who was a National on July 21. It was Duvall’s 38th homer, though it will be recorded as his 22nd homer because the stats from the game are backdated.
After Tatis’ go-ahead homer, the Braves managed one baserunner in the bottom of the seventh against Padres closer Mark Melancon. Freeman drew a walk. Albies flew out to deep left field for the final out.
The contest was originally started by right-hander Bryse Wilson, who was traded to the Pirates in the July 30 deal for reliever Richard Rodriguez. Wilson allowed five runs on four hits in two innings, which put the Braves in an early 5-0 hole.
The Braves scored four runs in the second, with two-out RBIs from outfielder Joc Pederson and pinch-hitter Ehire Adrianza. The game was suspended when after a lengthy delay due to inclement weather, necessitating Friday’s resumption.
San Diego took two of three from the Braves in the now-completed series. The teams began a new three-game series Friday night when Max Fried faced Reiss Knehr.
