Rookie Jim Jarvis ignited a six-run eighth-inning rally with an RBI double and the Atlanta Braves hung on to defeat the visiting San Diego Padres 7-6 on Wednesday.
The win gave the Braves a 2-1 lead in the four-game series.
With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth, Mauricio Dubon started the outburst with a one-out single off reliever Wandy Peralta (1-2). Jarvis followed with a double into the right field corner that scored Dubon easily. Brewer Hicklen doubled to left to drive in Jarvis.
Reliever Randy Vasquez entered and allowed RBI singles to Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Dominic Smith as the Braves sent 11 men to the plate.
Trailing 7-1 entering the ninth, the Padres rallied to score five times. Victor Mederos was charged with four runs while retiring just one batter. Raisel Iglesias entered and allowed a two-run homer to Luis Rengifo, his first for the Padres. Iglesias struck out Manny Machado and Ty France to end the game and earn his 20th save.
Dylan Lee (5-0) threw a perfect eighth inning.
Atlanta starter Martin Perez was activated before the game and made his first start since July 5, when he went on the injured list after being struck on the left forearm by a line drive. He threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out three.
San Diego squeezed six innings out of starter Michael King. He gave up one run on five hits and four walks, striking out seven. He has allowed one run in each of his last three starts.
The first three Braves drew a walk, but Atlanta could only cash in for one run in the first inning on an RBI grounder by Michael Harris II. King struck out Riley and Mike Yastrzemski to end the threat.
The Padres tied the game in the seventh on Jackson Merrill’s solo homer off reliever Didier Fuentes. Merrill lashed it 449 feet, the longest of his career, into the fountain in center field for his 14th homer.
