The Atlanta Braves' bats continued to struggle on Monday night against the Padres, losing by a score of 4-1. Last night's 9th inning rally notwithstanding -- hey, the Mets' bullpen is awful and couldn't throw a strike -- the Braves have scored three runs in their last 24 innings.

Eric Stults was dominant this evening, tossing 7.2 innings of one-run ball. He scattered five hits and did not walk a batter, giving up the lone run on a two-out triple to Martin Prado in the eighth.

Mike Minor continued to be solid-yet-unspectacular on the mound, working six innings while surrendering three runs. His command was not all there and he did allow nine hits, but worked about a few jams nicely with three strikeouts.

Cameron Maybin brought home the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to left field in the second inning. Chase Headley singled home a run in the fifth, as did Yonder Alonso in the sixth. Headley added an insurance run in the seventh inning with a deep solo homer to center field.

Dale Thayer worked a perfect ninth inning to secure the 4-1 win for San Diego.

The two clubs will meet again on Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. EST.

For more on the Braves, check out Talking Chop.