ATLANTA — Joey Terdoslavich picked a good time for his first major league home run.
Jun 9, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves Joey Terdoslavich (28) celebrates with Atlanta Braves Christian Betancourt (27) after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. The Braves won 6-5. Photo Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta outfielder broke a tie with a pinch-hit leadoff homer in the eighth inning as the Braves came back from a five-run deficit against San Diego Padres ace James Shields for a 6-5 victory Tuesday night.
Terdoslavich, who had spent the most of the first two months on the disabled list, connected on a 2-0 fastball from reliever Joaquin Benoit and sent a blast into the seats in right-center field.
Braves closer Jason Grilli, who had blown the lead the night before thanks to his own throwing error, made the run stand up this time by pitching around a one-out double by first baseman Yonder Alonso in the ninth inning for his 16th save.
In addition to Terdoslavich’s homer, the Braves benefited from video review, with two of home plate umpire Jerry Meals’ calls overruled.
The Padres appeared to have regained the lead in the eighth inning, with Meals ruling Melvin Upton Jr. safe at the plate on a fielder’s choice grounder. A video review, though, quickly changed the call.
The Braves also had video review go their way in their five-run sixth inning.
Jace Peterson started rally off Shields with a leadoff double and Freddie Freeman followed an out later with a single. Second baseman Cory Spangenberg booted Nick Markakis’ bouncer as the first run scored and then Juan Uribe walked to load the bases.
Andrelton Simmons smashed a double to clear the bases. Uribe was at first called out at the plate, but a video review overruled Meals’ call. Left fielder Jonny Gomes followed with a single to tie it and drive Shields out of the game.
The five runs (four earned) in the inning matched the most that Shields had given up in a game this season. He allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out six in 5 1/3 innings. He had gone at least six innings in all except one of his previous 12 starts.
The Padres knocked out Braves rookie starter Mike Foltynewicz in the sixth inning, with Shields getting things going with a two-out single. Center fielder Will Venable and catcher Derek Norris followed with RBI doubles to put San Diego up 5-0.
Foltynewicz gave up 12 hits, four more than in any of his first seven starts. He walked one and matched his season low with two strikeouts.
The pregame rain had already stopped before the scheduled first pitch, but the start was delayed 50 minutes because of storms in the area.
The late start certainly didn’t throw Shields of his routine. He allowed just three harmless singles, two by right fielder Nick Markakis, through the first five innings.
Meanwhile, the Padres scored single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings off Foltynewicz.
The Braves failed to turn a double play in the second, and shortstop Clint Barmes put the Padres ahead by pulling a two-out RBI double down the left-field line.
Venable connected with a 0-1 slider from Foltynewicz leading off the third and deposited his fifth homer of the season into the seats near the right-field foul pole.
Right fielder Matt Kemp flirted with a two-run homer two batters later, but Markasis caught his long drive just in front of the fence in right field.
A two-out hit by Alonso pushed the San Diego lead to 3-0 in the fifth. The Padres had three hits in the inning, including the second of the game by left fielder Justin Upton.
NOTES: Hoping to bolster their beleaguered bullpen, the Braves added veteran RHP David Aardsma after signing him to a minor league contract and having him make just one appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett. Aardsma last pitched in the majors with the New York Mets in 2013. … Rookie RHP Cody Martin was optioned to Gwinnett after taking the loss in the Padres’ 11-inning victory Monday. … RHP Brandon Morrow, who felt discomfort in his shoulder during a second rehab outing with Double-A San Antonio, will be shut down by the Padres for a couple of weeks. He was 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA before going on the disabled list in mid-May with shoulder inflammation. … Padres OF/1B Wil Myers (wrist tendinitis) hit a long homer in his second rehab game with Triple-A El Paso and could be ready to come off the disabled list by this weekend. … The Braves were 3-1 at home against the Padres last season but dropped all three games in San Diego. … The teams play at Petco Park on Aug. 17-19.
