Offensive struggles continue for Braves in 3-1 loss to Padres

Atlanta’s bullpen was the lone bright spot in disappointing loss Friday night

The Atlanta Braves’ offensive struggles continued Friday night in a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Padres

The Braves got off to a quick start offensively and appeared to have Padres starter Matt Waldron on the ropes early. Ronald Acuña Jr. singled to leadoff the first inning and then moved to third on a double by Ozzie Albies. Marcell Ozuna struck out, but Matt Olson followed with a single to left to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead. Albies was thrown out on the play trying to advance to third and Travis d’Arnaud struck out to end the inning.

The Braves continued to make Waldron work in the second, but were unable to come up with a key hit. Michael Harris singled and stole second to move into scoring position, but Waldron struck out the side to leave him stranded.

That would be a familiar theme for the Braves the rest of the night. Max Fried found himself in trouble most of the night but was able to pitch around it until the fifth. Luis Arraez reached on a single and then moved to second as Fernando Tatis Jr. walked. Jurickson Profar followed with an RBI single to right to tie things up at 1-1. Jake Cronenworth put the Padres in front with another single to make it 2-1. Profar scored as Manny Machado hit into a force play to extend the deficit to 3-1. Xander Bogaerts followed with another single ending Fried’s night. Aaron Bummer came on from the bullpen and retired Jackson Merrill and Ha-Seong Kim to avoid any further damage.

It was a short outing for Fried who allowed nine hits and three runs in just 4 ¹⁄₃ innings. He walked three and finished with two strikeouts while throwing 88 pitches.

Travis d’Arnaud took a foul ball off the mask in the fifth inning and was replaced by Chadwick Tromp to start the sixth. The Braves announced that d’Arnaud left the game after experiencing some dizziness.

Waldron settled in after the rough first inning and held the Braves in check. Atlanta got a two out walk from Acuña in the fifth but Albies flew out to end the inning. Olson singled again in the sixth, but the Braves weren’t able to move him along either. The Braves had another opportunity to score in the eighth as Ozuna singled off of Robert Suarez with one out. Olson went down swinging for the second out, but Tromp sent a double into the left center gap to put runners at second and third. However, Michael Harris struck out to leave both runners stranded.

The Braves finished the game with seven hits but struck out 18 times. Waldron finished with a season-high 10 in 5 2/3 innings. Olson led the way offensively with two hits. Jake Cronenworth had three hits for the Padres.

Atlanta falls to 26-15 on the season and now trail the Phillies by 3.5 games in the NL East standings. The series will continue Saturday with Bryce Elder matching up against Yu Darvish.