Freeman, Toussaint spark Braves to win over Padres

Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman (5) runs past San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer (30) after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (John Bazemore/AP)

ATLANTA -- Freddie Freeman homered off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, Touki Toussaint allowed one run and three hits in his season debut, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Toussaint, who missed the first 3 1/2 months rehabbing a right shoulder strain, retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Victor Caratini in the third. He didn't allow a hit until Manny Machado doubled with one out in the fourth.

The Padres tied it 1-all in the fourth when Jake Cronenworth was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Machado's double and scored on Tommy Pham's sacrifice fly. Wil Myers flied out on a broken-bat flare as Toussaint escaped a bases-loaded jam.

Freeman made it 2-1 by taking Darvish deep over the wall in left field with an opposite-field shot, his 22nd homer. The All-Star first baseman and reigning NL MVP has five homers in his last seven games.

Toussaint (1-0) walked two and struck out five in 6 2/3 innings. He was relieved by Tyler Matzek, who ended a threat with runners on first and second when pinch-hitter Jurickson Profar flied out.

Darvish (7-4) was making his first start since July 8 after a stint on the injured list due to left hip inflammation. The All-Star retired nine in a row until Toussaint walked with two outs in the fifth.

Darvish, who struck out Joc Pederson to end the inning, was chased when Stephen Vogt walked to put runners on first and second in the sixth. He allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Atlanta's bullpen finally held a lead _ the Braves have lost 10 times when leading after six innings, tied with Arizona for most in the majors. Chris Martin faced four batters in the eighth. Will Smith earned his 19th save in 21 chances after facing four batters in the ninth.

The Braves led 1-0 in the second when Abraham Almonte, who was hitting .169 in his last 22 games, doubled with two outs and scored from second on Guillermo Heredia's single.

Atlanta, which hasn't been over .500 this year, moved to 46-47. It had lost three of four and was in third place, 4 1/2 games back in the NL East.

San Diego fell to 55-42. The Padres had dropped three of five and were in third place, 5 1/2 games back in the NL West.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: C Austin Nola (knee) is expected to join the team for a four-game series that begins Thursday in Miami. He's been sidelined for two months. ... LHP Ryan Weathers (ankle) is expected to throw a live bullpen Wednesday, and the team is hopeful he can start a game in Miami.

Braves: RHP Ian Anderson (shoulder) is feeling better since going on the 10-day injured list last Friday. ``He's doing his exercises and all that right now and states that everything has calmed down,'' manager Brian Snitker said. ... C Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) is swinging off a tee with both hands and catching balls from a machine. He could return in mid-August. ... RHP Huascar Ynoa (hand) threw a side session and will throw a live bullpen Thursday.

ROSTER MOVES

The Padres placed RHP Craig Stammen on the paternity leave list and recalled RHP Miguel Diaz from Triple-A El Paso.

UP NEXT

San Diego RHP Chris Paddack (5-6, 5.49 ERA) will start one of the doubleheader games Wednesday. The team had yet to decide who will pitch the other one. The Braves will counter with LHP Kyle Muller (1-2, 3.45) in the first game and RHP Bryse Wilson (2-3, 5.34) in the second.

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