SAN DIEGO – Circumstances considered, it was the Braves’ biggest win of the season.
They trailed 3-0. They trailed 7-4. They trailed 8-7. In the end, it didn’t matter. The Braves, a team that’s prided itself on resilience in recent years, defeated the Padres 10-8 in one of the most thrilling games this core group has played together. It was the type of exhilarating victory that can propel a team with October just days away.
“That might’ve been one of the guttiest games I’ve ever seen a team play,” manager Brian Snitker said. “What they could’ve done after the grand slam, how they roared back and just kept coming. It defines who these guys are, what they’re all about and the fight (they have in them).”
Here are five takeaways from Saturday:
1. The grand slam Snitker referenced appeared to have the Braves destined for defeat. Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado hit a two-out grand slam off starter Huascar Ynoa in the fifth, putting San Diego ahead 7-3.
It turned out Slam Diego didn’t demoralize the Braves. In the top of the sixth, the Braves made just one out before tying the game. Padres reliever Nabil Crismatt issued a one-out walk to catcher Travis d’Arnaud. Shortstop Dansby Swanson followed with a hit, continuing his encouraging recent progress after slumping most of September.
Joc Pederson’s pinch-hit double pulled the Braves within 7-4. Outfielder Jorge Soler smashed a Crismatt change-up 420 feet and over the center-field wall to tie the game. It was Soler’s 25th home run of the season and 12th since joining the Braves at the trade deadline.
2. Padres catcher Victor Caratini put his team ahead with an RBI single off Chris Martin in the sixth. The score remained the same until the ninth, when the Braves got the best of their former closer, Mark Melancon.
Third baseman Austin Riley’s one-out single gave the Braves hope. A passed ball moved Riley to second. Down to their last out, left fielder Eddie Rosario’s soft single to right forced the game into extra innings.
3. The 10th inning has been a house of horrors for the Braves, who were 2-for-37 in the frame entering the night. Swanson struck out against Padres reliever Daniel Hudson to open the inning, which triggered fan hysteria and thoughts of “here we go again.”
Pinch-hitter Orlando Arcia’s walk brought up Soler, who again saved his team. He doubled to left field for his third hit of the night. It scored the go-ahead run. Second baseman Ozzie Albies’ sacrifice fly added an insurance run.
Snitker turned to Will Smith in the 10th, just one day after the lefty gave up a game-winning homer. Smith responded by striking out Machado on three pitches and retiring the next two Padres to conclude the four-hour marathon.
“This is a really competitive team,” Ynoa said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “We have some really good vibes and good energy in the clubhouse. There’s something to be said about those guys. Every time they take the field, they’re going to give everything they have.”
The Braves’ victory also eliminated San Diego from postseason contention, ending the Padres’ once-promising campaign with a thud.
“It felt like we were in a playoff situation with the crowd going nuts,” Snitker said. “It was like a playoff game.”
4. Soler has had plenty of clutch performances with the Braves, but none will outdo what he did Saturday. He went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, which included a game-tying three-run homer and the go-ahead hit in extras.
“It was a huge win, especially considering the fact that it felt like we were playing from behind the entire game,” Soler said via Garcia. “We kept overcoming the deficits and kept battling back. Big win today.”
5. The Braves maintained their 1-1/2 game lead over the Phillies with their win. They trimmed their magic number to clinch the NL East to seven.
Stat to know
3 of 5 (Riley had two RBIs Saturday, giving him 100 this season. Three of the five NL players to reach the 100-RBI mark are Braves. Outfielder Adam Duvall (111), Riley and Albies (103) join Machado and Cardinals All-Star Nolan Arenado in that group.)
Quotable
“The energy was sky high, like I’ve never seen it before. We were working our way back into the clubhouse and people were hooting and hollering and screaming.” – Soler on the Braves’ clubhouse after the win
Clutch Riley
Riley had nine two-out RBIs in the past week, collecting six in Arizona and three more in San Diego. He had a pair of two-out RBIs Saturday.
Up next
The Braves and Padres finish their series Sunday afternoon. Jesse Chavez will start a bullpen game for the Braves against Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (11-9, 3.15). It’s the Braves’ last road game of the regular season.
