In an astounding turn of events the Braves managed to push their frustration level during their 5 game losing streak to new heights as they lost to the Padres in 12 innings. The Padres walked off against Craig Kimbrel in the bottom of the 12th after the Braves loaded the bases with zero outs and failed to score in the top half of the inning.
The game started out well for Atlanta. BJ Upton lead off the game with a walk and advanced to second base on a Tommy La Stella groundball. Freddie Freeman then smacked a double that allowed BJ to stroll home for the first run of the game.
As they have done so often the Braves offense shut down after scoring an early run. This time the Braves lack of offene took the form of scattering their hits and never being able to string together a big rally. The Braves stranded 14 runners for the game as they consistently got guys on, only to see them left out there over and over again. It looked like it might not matter though as Ervin Santana tore through the poor Padres offense the way he should. Santana was through six innings and seemed to not be too stressed before things started to get away from him in the 7th.
Rene Rivera lead off the inning with a single and the Padres sacrificed him to second base. Rivera advanced to third on a groundout and then Yangervis Solarte tied the game with a single through the infield. Seth Smith singled to put runners on the corners and Santana walked Jedd Gyorko to load the bases. Jordan Walden came into the game and allowed the Padres to take the lead on a wild pitch in the dirt that Gattis didn't block effectively. Walden got the third out but the Padres were now in front 2-1.
The Braves offense managed to strike back right away in the top of the 8th. Jason Heyward singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Evan Gattis walked and Chris Johnson delivered a clutch single to tie the game at 2-2. With Johnson at first and Gattis on third the Braves had a chance to take the lead with one out. Instead Andrelton Simmons bunted leading to Gattis being thrown out at home. Whether Simmons bunted on his own or it was a play called from the dugout, a safety squeeze with the slowest runner on the team at third was an indefensible decision. The play ended the Braves threat and was indicative of how the night would go.
The game would go to extra innings and the Braves frustration boiled over in the top of the 12th. The Braves loaded the bases with zero outs and Evan Gattis at the plate. Gattis grounded to third, leading to a throw home and then to first to turn a double play. With two outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd Johnson grounded out to end the inning. The Braves failed to score with the bases loaded and no outs with arguably their best hitter at the plate.
In the bottom of the 12th Craig Kimbrel came out to pitch what was his second inning. Kimbrel set a career high in pitches en route to walking the bases loaded. A Will Venable line drive to right field ended the game and pushed the Braves losing streak to 5 games.