Newcomb picks up eighth win as Braves blank Padres
Third baseman Charlie Culberson supplied the only run with a solo homer and left-hander Sean Newcomb picked up his eighth victory as the Atlanta Braves blanked the San Diego Padres 1-0 on Saturday at SunTrust Park.
Culberson hit his third home run of the season on a long fly to left-center field on a 1-0 pitch off San Diego starter Jordan Lyles (2-4) in the fifth inning. Each of Culberson's three homers have provided the winning margin for Atlanta, the previous two coming in the team's last at-bat.
Newcomb (8-2) pitched six shutout innings and allowed only two hits and one walk, striking out seven. It was a nice bounce-back for the second-year player after he allowed five runs against the Dodgers in his last start.
Newcomb, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Thursday, beat the Padres for the second time this season and improved to 3-0 against San Diego in three career starts.
He was helped by the Atlanta bullpen. Dan Winkler pitched a scoreless seventh and A.J. Minter threw a scoreless eighth, with each striking out a pair.
Closer Arodys Vizcaino made it close. The right-hander allowed a single and a hit batsman, but struck out Franmil Reyes and retired Freddy Galvis on a ground ball to end the game and earn his 14th save.
Lyles allowed one run on five hits and struck out six, but suffered his third straight loss. The effort was significantly better than his previous start against Atlanta on June 5 when he allowed eight runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman was 1-for-3 and has hit safely in 26 of his last 27 games.
Atlanta made a roster move on Saturday, placing right-hander Mike Foltynewicz on the 10-day disabled list with right forearm soreness. The Braves activated Julio Teheran, who will start on Sunday, the finale of the four-game series.
The game was interrupted by a 25-minute rain delay.
--Field Level Media
