The Atlanta Braves lost their 2025 regular season opener to the San Diego Padres by 7-4 on Thursday afternoon in San Diego, CA.
The Braves notched the first run of the day on an overturned call during the top of the first. The Padres scored a pair of runs in the bottom of that inning on an RBI single by Jackson Merrill. Ozzie Albies put Atlanta back in front with a two-run homer in the third. The Padres made it 3-3 in the bottom of that inning on an RBI groundout by Merrill. Austin Riley clubbed a solo home run which made it 4-3 in favor of the Braves in the fourth. However, the Padres surged ahead with four runs off of the Braves’ bullpen in the seventh on a lead-off homer by Gavin Sheets, a sac fly from Luis Arraez, an RBI double by Manny Machado, and a sac fly by Merrill.
Atlanta starting pitcher Chris Sale surrendered three runs and six hits, walked one, and struck out seven in five innings. Hector Neris was charged with the loss. Wandy Peralta was credited with the win and Ranger Suarez picked up the save for San Diego.
The Braves will face the Padres again tonight in the second meeting of a four game series at Petco Park. First pitch is slated for 9:40 pm Eastern. Listen to play-by-play coverage from the Atlanta Braves Radio Network locally on the airwaves of WLAQ 1410 AM or 96.9 FM; airtime is 8:25 pm.
This set at San Diego will continue through Sunday and will be followed by three games in Los Angeles, CA against the Dodgers next Monday through Wednesday to finish the Braves’ season-opening road trip. The team’s home opener is set for April 4th at Truist Park in Atlanta versus the Miami Marlins.