The San Diego Padres came from behind against one of the toughest relievers in the league to defeat the Atlanta Braves by a score of 4-1. San Diego scored all four of their runs off of Jonny Venters who carried a sterling 0.56 ERA into the game.
This game was every bit of a pitching duel early between Tim Hudson and converted reliever Cory Luebke who was making his first start of the year. Luebke struck out the side in the first and finished with six for the game. Luebke allowed only one hit, a double to Nate McLouth in the third inning.
Tim Hudson was good once again throwing six innings while allowing six hits and no runs. He struck out eight and walked three. Hudson pitched out of trouble in both the fifth and sixth innings before giving way to reliever Eric O'Flaherty in the seventh.
Atlanta would take the lead in the eighth on a Jordan Schafer double that scored Eric Hinske giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead. Normally when Atlanta takes a lead into the eighth inning with a lead, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel have been able to come in and shut the door. However, that wouldn't be the case on this occasion.
After a lead off walk to Chris Denorfia, Cameron Maybin reached with an infield single giving San Diego runners at first and second with no outs. Pinch hitter Rob Johnson sacrificed the runners into scoring position. Venters then intentionally walked Jesus Guzman to load the bases while setting up a force at any base. After Will Venable grounded out to Venters, San Diego tied the game on an infield single by Jason Bartlett. Orlando Hudson followed with a single to center that scored Maybin and Guzman making the score 3-1 in favor of the Padres. San Diego added another run on a Chase Headley RBI single before Scott Proctor replaced Venters and got the last out of the eighth inning.
Heath Bell worked an uneventful ninth to record his 20th save of the season.
Venters loses for the first time this season after allowing four runs and four hits in just two thirds of an inning. San Diego reliever Mike Adams earns his third victory of the season after allowing a hit and one unearned run in the eighth. Just one day after scoring 10 runs on 12 hits, Atlanta's offense was held to just two hits by the Padres.