Braves 1, Padres 0: Series winning streak ends

After five straight series, the Padres have finally failed to win. Now, let’s be clear: They have, as of this writing, yet to lose for six straight series. But after losing the second game of a four-game set, the Friars will not be winning their sixth straight series. And while you might have expected Jordan Lyles to be the culprit in this afternoon’s loss, he held the Braves to just one run over seven innings while fanning six. Today, the Friars lost a classic pitchers’ duel, as Sean Newcomb shutout the Pads over six frames while both teams combined for just nine hits and one walk.

The one run came in the fifth inning, when Lyles couldn’t keep Charlie Culberson in the ballpark. Lyles sent a fastball right down the center of the pipe, and Culberson crushed it.

The Padres’ best scoring opportunity came just eight pitches into the ballgame. After battling with Newcomb, Jose Pirela laced a double into left field. Eric Hosmer moved him to third with a ground out, and Hunter Renfroe drew a walk to put runners on the corners with two outs to spare. But Newcomb fanned Christian Villanueva and Franmil Reyes to end the inning.

The Pads made one last attempt to preserve their streak in the top of the ninth when Renfroe knocked a one-out double to left. Arodys Vizcaino beaned Cory Spangenberg to put the winning run on board, but Reyes struck out to earn a golden sombrero, and Freddy Galvis ended the game by grounding out to short.

The Friars still have a chance to split the series as Matt Strahm leads Johnny Wholestaff against Julio Teheran, who will be returning from the DL on Sunday. First pitch at 10:35 AM.