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Padres Recap: Pads Squander Big Lead, Braves Get Revenge

By Nick Lee

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Jun 9, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves Joey Terdoslavich (28) celebrates with third base coach Bo Porter (16) after hitting a home run as San Diego Padres reliever Joaquin Benoit (53) reacts in the eighth inning at Turner Field. The Braves won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (30-30) got off to a great start Tuesday night. Clint Barmes doubled home Cory Spangenberg in the 2nd and in the next inning, Will Venable led off with a solo home run, his 5th. He would finish a triple shy of the cycle. Things were going great for San Diego.

The Padres then extended their lead to 5-0 after a Yonder Alonso two-out RBI single and two doubles by Venable and Derek Norris. James Shields cruised through the first 5 innings with just allowing a few hits.

Then the bottom of the 6th came along. Atlanta Braves (28-30) leadoff man Jace Peterson led off with a double and it was all downhill from there. With the bases loaded, Andrelton Simmons hit a 3-run double that made it 5-4.

Jonny Gomes then lined a single to right field, scoring Simmons after he bumped into Norris with his left leg. The Padres contended that it was intentional and that Simmons should be called out but the decision was that he was safe.

The Padres squandered a big opportunity in the 8th when Melvin Upton walked, stole a base then advanced to 3rd on an errant throw by catcher Christian Bethancourt. Norris chopped one to third and Upton sprinted home and was originally called safe on a close play, giving the Padres the lead. But since Fredi Gonzalez won his first challenge, he was awarded a second. He challenged the scoring play and Upton was called out.

Joey Terdoslavich led off the bottom of the 8th with a solo home run, his first major league homer. That was enough for Jason Grilli to earn his 16th save, avenging his blown save a night ago. That didn’t mean things weren’t interesting in the 9th.

The Padres stranded runners at first and third in the 9th as Barmes struck out to end the game.

It’s a rare sight to see the Padres yield a five run lead late. But it happens sometimes in a 162-game season. The Padres have a shot to take the series lead and at least clinch a split tomorrow.

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