ATLANTA — Rookie Williams Perez allowed only four hits in seven innings, Kelly Johnson returned from the disabled list with three hits and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Johnson had an RBI single in the second inning in his return after missing 24 games with a strained right oblique. Cameron Maybin drove in a run with two of Atlanta’s 14 hits.
The only run allowed by Perez (2-0) was unearned. Making his fifth start, he matched his longest outing start while striking out five and walking two. He has allowed no more than one earned run in four of his five starts.
Cory Spangenberg had three hits, including two doubles. His fifth-inning double drove in the Padres’ run.
Jim Johnson pitched a perfect ninth inning for his third save. Closer Jason Grilli was rested after pitching two straight days.
Former Braves outfielder Melvin Upton Jr., making his first start since coming off the disabled list Monday, was 0 for 4. He was robbed of a hit in the third on Johnson’s diving catch in left field.
Johnson’s second-inning single off Tyson Ross (3-6) drove in Nick Markakis, who slapped a single to left field to lead off the inning. A.J. Pierzynski, who had an infield hit, scored on Andrelton Simmons’ single later in the inning.
Freddie Freeman hit into a double play with no outs and the bases loaded for a 3-0 lead in the third.
Ross allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks in six innings.
Before the game, the Padres optioned second baseman Jedd Gyorko to Triple-A El Paso and recalled right-hander Nick Vincent. Gyorko was hitting .210 with two homers and 11 RBIs and lost his starting job to Spangenberg.
Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn sat near the Braves’ dugout.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: Padres manager Bud Black “there’s a high probability” OF Wil Myers will come off the 15-day DL for Thursday’s game. Myers has been out since May 11 with left wrist tendinitis. He was expected to join the team in Atlanta and be evaluated following Wednesday night’s game. Myers was hitting .291 with five homers, 19 RBIs and three stolen bases, usually hitting leadoff and starting in center field.
Braves: To clear a spot for Johnson, OF Joey Terdoslavich was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett one day after his pinch-hit homer gave Atlanta the lead in its 6-5 win over the Padres. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Terdoslavich “took it really well” and can help the team off the bench later in the season.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Andrew Cashner, who gave up eight hits and seven runs in his last start at Cincinnati, will try to get on track against the Braves in Thursday’s final game of the four-game series. Cashner (2-8) has allowed a combined 12 earned runs in his last two starts.
Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (4-2) will look for his first win since May 21. He has a loss and two no-decisions while allowing a combined 15 earned runs in his last three starts.