By PAUL NEWBERRY
ATLANTA (AP) — Ian Kinsler and Wil Myers homered, Matt Strahm worked six innings and the San Diego Padres earned a split of their series in Atlanta, routing the Braves 11-2 on Thursday.
The Padres broke the game open with a five-run fifth, helped by an errant throw from Atlanta pitcher Mike Foltynewicz that allowed four unearned runs to score. San Diego added five runs in the sixth — the first time since 2000 they have scored five runs in consecutive innings.
Strahm (1-2) took a shutout into the sixth before surrendering a two-run single to Nick Markakis. The left-hander allowed eight hits, struck out six and didn’t walk anyone before turning it over to the bullpen.
The game was so out hand the Braves turned to Charlie Culberson to pitch the ninth, moving him from left field to make his second big league appearance on a mound. He allowed hit and walked two but drew a big cheer from what was left of the sparse crowd by escaping a bases-loaded jam, getting Francisco Mejia on a flyout to deep center. Culberson also got his first major league strikeout.
Kinsler homered off Foltynewicz (0-1) in the third and came through again in the fifth, doubling to left-center to bring home another run. The Padres were just getting started, sending 10 platers to the plate as they increased the lead to 6-0 and knocked out the Braves starter.
Foltynewicz didn’t help his cause, fielding Manny Machado’s grounder but throwing wildly to second on an attempted force that allowed Kinsler to score. Eric Hosmer followed with a sacrifice fly that should have been the third out, and Wil Myers and Manuel Margot tacked on run-scoring singles. Austin Hedges, who started the outburst with a bunt single, popped out against Grant Dayton that finally ended the inning.
Myers hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Shane Carle and finished with three RBIs. Hosmer had two RBIs in the 17-hit barrage.
Foltynewicz, making his second start for the Braves after openinng the season on the injured list, surrendered eight hits and six runs, though only two were earned.
The Padres won two of four games in Atlanta after going 1-10 on their previous trips to Georgia going back to 2016. Still, they haven’t won a series at the home of the Braves since September 2013.
It was the most runs allowed by the Braves at SunTrust Park since an 11-6 loss to St. Louis last Sept. 17.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves 3B Josh Donaldson missed his third straight game because of a sore right calf. Super sub Johan Camargo filled in again, making his sixth start in seven days.
UP NEXT
Padres: After going 4-3 on a weeklong trip, they return home for the opener of a three-game weekend series against NL West rival Los Angeles. LHP Eric Lauer (2-3, 4.41 ERA) is scheduled to go against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 2.25).
Braves: Begin a 10-game road trip at Miami, where RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.80) takes the mound against the Marlins’ Jose Urena (1-4, 5.08). After three games in South Florida, Atlanta travels to Los Angeles and Arizona.
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