Jake Cronenworth's blast helps Padres sink Braves

Jake Cronenworth had a pair of hits, including the go-ahead home run, and the visiting San Diego Padres beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Sunday to win the rubber game of their series.

Cronenworth, who also doubled, hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to put the Padres in front and helped them win the three-game set and finish the season series 6-1 against the Braves.

San Diego starter Dylan Cease pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.

The Padres' bullpen finished the game, with Jeremiah Estrada (2-3), Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Robert Suarez each working a scoreless inning. Suarez picked up his 17th save, tied for the most in the major leagues.

Atlanta's Spencer Schwellenbach (3-4) pitched seven innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and 11 strikeouts, matching his career high.

The Padres got a run in the first inning when Manny Machado doubled and scored on Jackson Merrill's single to right field.

Atlanta tied it in the second inning. Austin Riley singled and scored on a double by Ozzie Albies.

The Braves scored two times in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. Alex Verdugo singled and Albies doubled to open the inning. Nick Allen hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Albies, who had taken third base on the fly ball, scored on a wild pitch.

San Diego evened the score in the sixth when Gavin Sheets hit a two-run homer to right. The 423-foot shot was his 10th of the season and fourth in the last four games.

The Padres took a 4-3 lead in the seventh on Cronenworth's solo homer to right, his fourth homer and first since May 10, then added a run in the eighth on Machado's solo shot, his fifth overall and second of the series.

The Padres return home to open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Monday. The Braves start a three-game series at the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

--Field Level Media