Chris Sale recorded 11 strikeouts over six innings as the Atlanta Braves defeated the San Diego Padres 6-5 on Thursday at Truist Park. The win improved Atlanta's record and narrowed its deficit in the NL East standings.
Sale allowed three runs on five hits while lowering his ERA to 2.19, the second-lowest mark in Major League Baseball. He retired 13 of the final 14 batters he faced after a three-run second inning that ended his scoreless streak at 10 innings.
Braves manager Walt Weiss praised the 37-year-old left-hander. "He's the real deal," Weiss said. "After all the time he missed in Boston and then coming here and doing what he's done to rejuvenate an already great career, at this point in his career, is amazing."
Solo home runs by Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies, a three-run homer by Dominic Smith, and a decisive blast by Drake Baldwin provided the offense. The victory marked Atlanta's third win in four games against San Diego and its fifth win in seven games since the All-Star break. The Braves now lead the NL East by 4 1/2 games over Philadelphia.