Braves dominate
♦ Julio Teheran throws 6 no-hit innings Sunday against the San Diego Padres.
Atlanta outfielder Nick Markakis makes a diving catch on a long fly ball by San Diego’s Franmil Reyes in the ninth inning to end Sunday’s baseball game in Atlanta.
CUMBERLAND — Some extra rest left Julio Teheran feeling so strong he was unhittable for six innings.
That was more good news for an Atlanta rotation that is gaining momentum.
Teheran pitched six no-hit innings before being pulled from his first start since coming off the disabled list, and Atlanta relievers gave up six hits Sunday while finishing off a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres.
Teheran’s velocity was up, with his fastball hitting 92 mph. He had been closer to 89 mph before he missed less than two weeks with a sore thumb. The boost in his fastball also helped his offspeed pitches.
“Those 10 days helped me to get everything on track,” Teheran said. “... It was kind of fun to have my stuff back.”
Teheran (5-4) struck out a season-high 11, walked three and threw 95 pitches while recording 15 consecutive outs. Manager Brian Snitker said he could immediately Atlanta’s Julio Teheran pitches against the San Diego Padres on Sunday in Atlanta.
see the difference in the right-hander’s pitchers.
“It was just good to see the life on the fastball again,” Snitker said.
Teheran’s changeup and slider also were effective.
“He was throwing all his pitches for strikes,” said San Diego’s Cory Spangenberg. “I know through three at-bats I only got one fastball. When a pitcher is doing that, he’s pretty tough to hit.”
Over the last 11 home games, Braves starters have a 1.00 ERA, allowing eight earned runs in 72 innings. No starter allowed more than two runs during the streak.
The bid for a combined no-hitter ended with one out in the seventh when reliever Shane Carle allowed a single to Spangenberg. Freddy Galvis added another single before Carle pitched out of the jam.
Jose Vizcaino gave up singles to Spangenberg and Galvis in the ninth before striking out Christian Villanueva and Raffy Lopez. Right fielder Nick Markakis, running toward the foul line, made a diving catch of Raffy Lopez’s flyball to end the game.
Vizcaino earned his 15th save, including his third one of the series.
Johan Camargo’s two-run double in the fourth off Jose Castillo (1-1) gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead. Tyler Flowers hit a two-run homer off Brad Hand in the eighth.
The Padres, who lost 1-0 on Saturday, ended a 16-inning scoring drought in the eighth.
Franmil Reyes singled off A.J. Minter, moved to third on Eric Hosmer’s single and scored on Jose Pirela’s sacrifice fly. Hunter Renfroe’s fourth strikeout of the game ended the inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves C Kurt Suzuki left the game after he was hit on his helmet by Lopez’s bat as he struck out with a big follow-through to end the second inning. Suzuki was knocked to the ground but was able to walk off the field.
Manager Brian Snitker said Suzuki should be able to play in Atlanta’s next game at Toronto on Tuesday.
Braves third base coach Ron Washington had words with Lopez when Lopez emerged from the San Diego dugout to open the third. Snitker said the discussion was about Lopez not checking on Suzuki before walking away from the plate.
The NL East-leading Braves won three of four in the series, ending San Diego’s streak of five straight series wins. The Padres’ last series loss came on May 25-27, when they dropped two of three to the Dodgers.
ROSTER MOVE
Braves LHP Luiz Gohara was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he will start. RHP Luke Jackson was re-signed to a major league contract after being designated for assignment on Wednesday.
UP NEXT Braves:
Atlanta is off today before opening a two-game series at Toronto on Tuesday night, when rookie RHP Mike Soroka (2-1, 2.57) faces LHP Jaime Garcia (2-5, 5.71).