Despite Teheran's efforts, Braves fall to Padres 3-2

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Atlanta's Julio Teheran felt right at home on the road Wednesday but that couldn't keep the Braves from losing to the San Diego Padres 3-2.

It's hard to pin the blame on Teheran.

"He was really good," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He gave us an opportunity to win."

Teheran allowed a run on four hits and struck out seven over six innings.

He had struggled away from Turner Field, pitching to a 2-5 record with a 6.75 ERA.

"I feel good and had confidence with all my pitches," Teheran said. "Whenever I'm pitching inside that's when I can take advantage of the break on my slider and curve."

But it was for naught as Yangervis Solarte drove in two runs and Tyson Ross pitch six solid innings as the Padres completed a three-game sweep.

Solarte, who had three hits, homered in the sixth inning and added a run-scoring double in the seventh.

"He's playing really well," Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said. "He's coming into his own."

In the seventh, Melvin Upton Jr. singled off Matt Marksberry (0-2), stole second and advanced to third on Clint Barmes' groundout. Austin Hedges followed with a double to left-center field, scoring Upton for a 2-1 lead.

Ross allowed a run on six hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Shawn Kelley (2-2) got the win after striking out the side in the seventh. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 35th save in 37 chances.

But Gonzalez knows the Braves squandered a chance to prevail with the way Teheran performed.

"Julio was great," he said. "For him to go out there that first inning with 36 pitches and still was able to give us six innings, that's a big outing for him. And he gave us a good opportunity to win the game."

It was only the Padres' second three-game sweep of the season.

Marksberry got two outs in the seventh and was charged with two runs, three hits and a walk.

Atlanta has lost 18 of its past 26 games and 10 straight to San Diego at Petco Park.

The Braves pulled within 3-2 in the eighth on Nick Markakis' third hit, an RBI double to left that scored Cameron Maybin.

Solarte tied the game at 1 in the sixth by belting Teheran's slider over the right field fence. It was Solarte's ninth home run of the year and snapped a string of eight Padres being retired in a row.

"I'm just trying to play hard," Solarte said. "That is what it is all about."

The Padres couldn't decipher Teheran early.

He wiggled from a first-inning jam created by Matt Kemp's hit and walks to Solarte and Justin Upton. But Teheran retired Jedd Gyorko on a fly ball, and Upton, Jr., grounded out.

Over the next three innings, the Padres had only a single by Solarte in the third.

"I feel good right now," Teheran said. "I feel strong and feel good about all my pitches."

The Braves produced two hits and two walks in the third with one out, but only scored one run.

Michael Bourn singled, but was caught stealing by Hedges. Maybin and Freddie Freeman both walked, with Maybin scoring on Markakis' single. Adonis Garcia grounded out to end the threat.

DIRECTIONS TO HOME PLATE, PLEASE

The Braves have scored just 94 runs in 31 games since July 17, which ranks among the lowest in the league. Atlanta has hit just 17 home runs and produced only 71 extra-base hits in that span.

ROCKET ROD

Tennis legend Rod Laver threw out the first pitch, a borderline strike low and away. Padres bench coach Dave Roberts then escorted Laver, who lives in nearby Carlsbad, California, to home plate for the lineup card exchange and meeting with the umpires. Showing he's no John McEnroe, Laver had a friendly conversation with the officiating crew.

TRAINERS ROOM

PADRES: RHP Brandon Morrow underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (4-4, 5.61 ERA) will face the Cubs for the first time in his career. He's looking for his third win in his last four outings as Atlanta begins a four-game series on Thursday in Chicago.

Padres: RHP Ian Kennedy (7-11, 4.20 ERA) will open a three-game series against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. He has won four of his last six starts.