Another power-hitting day by Freddie Freeman, a quality start by pitcher Julio Teheran and some luck on an umpire’s call weren’t enough to save the Braves from another late-inning collapse.
The Braves mixed in some defensive blunders by catcher Christian Bethancourt to go along with another bullpen adventure before losing 6-4 in 11 innings. The Braves squandered a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning, and the Padres went ahead on Yangervis Solarte’s two-run single against Brandon Cunniff with one out in the 11th.
The Braves (29-32) lost for the eighth time in 27 games when leading after six innings. They finished 3-4 on the homestand and settled for a 2-2 split with the Padres (30-31).
“They are a tough ballclub, but we had an opportunity to win that series today,” Freeman said. “It’s a little frustrating. You can take positives, but you always want to get more and get greedy.”
The Braves scored two runs in the seventh inning for a 4-1 lead after home-plate umpire Jordan Baker missed Jace Peterson’s double-hit on a pitch. Teheran retired 16 of 17 batters after allowing an RBI single to Derek Norris in the first inning.
But the Braves fell part in the top of the eighth. The Padres loaded the bases with no outs against Teheran and scored on a passed ball, a walk and a catcher’s interference to tie the score.
“That was a weird eighth inning,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “The first three guys get on, and they score a run without putting a ball in play. We kind shot ourselves in the foot there.”
Part of the strangeness involved Gonzalez using five pitchers in the eighth inning. It was the first time since 1967 that the Braves had used as many pitchers in one inning.
Alexi Amarista and Solarte singled against Teheran and Wil Myers walked to load the bases. New Braves left-hander Dana Eveland replaced Teheran and Padres manager Bud Black countered by sending up right-handed slugger Justin Upton to pinch hit.
With Upton at bat, Amarista scored on Bethancourt’s passed ball.
“I’ve got to catch the ball,” Bethancourt said. “That’s what I’m back there for. If I don’t catch the ball, then (bad) things will happen.”
Eveland walked Upton to load the bases again and was replaced by Nick Masset, who struck out Matt Kemp before giving way to Avilan. Avilan walked Yonder Alonso to bring home another run that cut the lead to 4-3.
David Aardsma, the fifth pitcher of the inning, struck out Derek Norris. He had Cory Spangenberg down 1-2 when Bethancourt was called for catcher’s interference because Spangenberg’s swing hit his glove. The error put Spangenberg at first and scored Myers to complete the comeback.
