Kyle Taylor, Valdosta Today Sports
ATLANTA – The eleventh inning was a familiar sight for Craig Kimbrel and Braves fans, as the closer came on to complete a save for his team. Kimbrel finished 186 games in his career with the Braves, making him the all-time Braves leader in that category.
This time the Guns N’ Roses song, “Welcome to the Jungle” was not playing as he entered from the visitor’s side of the field.
Justin Upton and Melvin Upton, Jr. also made their returns to Atlanta for the first time since being traded in the offseason that brought players like Cameron Maybin and Jace Peterson, along with minor leaguers to the Braves.
Justin and Melvin both contributed to the Padres comeback in the eighth and ninth innings to lead the Padres to an extra inning, 5-3 win.
Shelby Miller (5-2) pitched another good ballgame, but because of the late inning struggles of the bullpen, he did not factor into the decision for the third time in his last four starts. Miller finished with seven innings, five hits, one run, and six strikeouts. Ian Kennedy (3-5) got the start for the Padres.
Cameron Maybin continued his hot hitting by going 2-5, with a an RBI, run scored, and his tenth stolen base of the season against his former mates. Maybin now sits just below .300 on the season with a .371 on-base percentage.
The Braves were up 3-1 for much of the game on Monday night. That was until Jim Johnson gave up an RBI groundout to Justin Upton in the eighth, making the score 3-2.
Jason Grilli came on in the ninth to try to complete the save with Craig Kimbrel watching from the Padres pen. Yonder Alonso started the inning off with a ground-rule double. Grilli settled down by striking out the next batter, Will Middlebrooks. Melvin Upton, who did not get the start, came on to pinch-run for Alonso. With the speed threat, Grilli tried to hold Upton close as second base with a pick-off attempt.
The ball sailed into center field and Upton advanced to third base with one out.
Cory Spangenerg then hit a fly ball to left fielder Todd Cunningham, which brought Melvin in easily to tie the game in the ninth.
The game continued into the eleventh inning with Cody Martin on to pitch for the Braves. Since May 9th, Martin has blown two saves and lost three games, but would try to give extend this one for Atlanta late Monday night.
Justin Upton started the inning with a walk and then stole second base. Matt Kemp followed with a double that brought Upton in for the go-ahead run. Alex Amarista doubled in Kemp to give the Padres a 5-3 lead.
Craig Kimbrel closed the game out in the ninth for the 14th save of the season.
Kimbrel told MLB.com after the game, “The fans were nice, they cheered for me. There were a lot of fans coming down to the bullpen saying they were happy for me. The fans were great. It was a little quiet out there, playing extra-inning games a lot of people have school or work or tomorrow.”
The Braves will have three more opportunities to get back at their former teammates with Tuesday night’s game beginning at 7:10 from Turner Field in Atlanta. Mike Foltynewicz (3-2) will have a tough matchup against James Shields (7-0) of the Padres.
The MLB Draft also began on Monday night with the Braves having two first rounders at 14 and 28. Atlanta selected left-handed pitcher, Kolby Allard, out of San Clemente, CA and committed to UCLA. Allard will likely sign with the Braves and opt out of a college career. The Braves took another arm with the 28th selection, by taking Michael Soroka, who is a right-handed pitcher out of a Canadian high school.
Allard would have been a much higher pick if it were not for a back injury. The hard throwing lefty told MLB.com, “I’m not worried about my back. It’s not like it’s a career thing. It’s just a freaky little thing. I’m ready to put it behind me.”
Braves Question of the Day
What do you think of the Braves draft selections?
