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Padres Fall Short in Atlanta Despite Four Home Runs

San Diego hit four home runs but lost 3-2 to the Braves, with JP Sears taking the loss in a high-scoring affair at Truist Park.

Briar Keller

July 21, 20262 min read

MLBFinal
San Diego Padres2
Atlanta Braves3

July 20, 2026

Padres Power Fails to Secure Win

The San Diego Padres hit four home runs during Monday’s contest, yet they could not overcome a late deficit to defeat the Atlanta Braves, 3-2. Despite the offensive outburst, San Diego’s starting pitcher JP Sears was unable to hold the lead, taking the loss in a game that saw momentum shift dramatically in the middle innings.

Scoring Sequence Defines Outcome

San Diego jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Machado launched a 402-foot home run to center field. The Padres appeared to tie the game in the fifth inning when Harris II homered 341 feet to right field.

Immediately following that home run, the Padres took the lead as Bart doubled to left, allowing Dubón to score for a 2-1 advantage.

However, Atlanta responded in the sixth inning. Albies homered 393 feet to left field, tying the game at 2-2. The Braves then took their first lead of the game in the seventh inning when France homered 397 feet to left center, making the score 3-2. The Padres were unable to recover, as their bullpen could not prevent Atlanta from holding on for the victory.

Pitching Performance

Sears started for San Diego, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, and 3 strikeouts, while walking no batters. He was relieved by Wandy Peralta, who pitched 1.0 inning, allowing 1 hit, 1 earned run, and 1 walk with 1 strikeout.

Bradgley Rodriguez and Kyle Hart each pitched 1.0 inning, with Rodriguez recording 2 strikeouts and Hart striking out 2 batters while issuing 1 walk.

For Atlanta, Bryce Elder earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings with 5 hits allowed, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. Danny Young pitched 0.2 innings, allowing 1 hit, and Victor Mederos secured the save with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1 batter.

Final Records

The loss drops the San Diego Padres to 49-51 on the season. The Atlanta Braves improve their record to 58-41. The game was played at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, with an attendance of 31,263.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816190

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Briar Keller

Briar Keller covers Saratoga high school and area college sports.

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