Ronald Acuña Jr. homers for 2nd straight game in return to lineup as Braves beat Padres 7-1

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for the second straight game in his return from a nearly year-long absence due to a knee injury, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday.

Acuña homered on the first pitch he saw in his season debut Friday. On Saturday, he hit a 411-foot, two-run shot to left field in the sixth inning, going 1 for 5. The 27-year-old is 3 for 9 in his two games back after missing the previous 161 games due to a torn ACL in his left knee.

Atlanta’s win halted a seven-game skid against the Padres that included a two-game sweep in last season’s National League playoffs.

Matt Olson hit his fifth homer in seven games for the Braves, who took advantage of an unexpected bullpen game from the Padres after starter Michael King was scratched less than an hour game time due to shoulder stiffness.

Grant Holmes (3-3) gave up one run in seven innings, his fifth quality start in 10 chances this season. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up six hits, a walk and struck out six.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who won Friday’s game with a homer in the ninth inning, went 2 for 2 with an RBI and two walks.

Padres starter Sean Reynolds (0-1) worked 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, including Olson’s home run. Reynolds threw a season-high 57 pitches as the Padres lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Key moment

With the Braves leading 3-1 in the sixth inning, Machado and Jackson Merrill reached to open the inning. Holmes struck out Xander Bogaerts and retired Gavin Sheets and Jake Croneworth to get out of the jam.

Key stat