Ozuna Smashes Two Homers in Braves’ Victory Over Padres
All-Star Marcell Ozuna showcased his power ahead of the Home Run Derby by hitting home runs of 413 and 422 feet. Orlando Arcia also contributed with a two-run homer, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night, marking their fifth win in seven games.
Ozuna made a strong statement with his impressive shots. He kicked off the fifth inning with a 413-foot home run to left off knuckleballer Matt Waldron (5-8), tying the game at 1. Later, he started the ninth inning with a 422-foot homer to center off Enyel De Los Santos.
With 26 home runs this season, Ozuna, an All-Star reserve, is set to compete in the Home Run Derby on Monday night. When asked about his readiness, he confidently replied, “Yeah, 100%. I’m going to have fun and set an example for my kids.”
Having hit a career-high 40 homers last year, Ozuna previously went deep in both games of a doubleheader against the Padres in Atlanta on May 20.
“I don’t aim for home runs,” he explained. “I just focus on hitting the ball well. When I connect properly, it feels great.”
Rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach praised Ozuna’s power display, stating, “It’s always exciting. He consistently has great at-bats and crushes the ball. He’s definitely ready for the Derby.”
Ozuna also set a Braves record with 77 RBIs before the All-Star break.
Manager Brian Snitker expressed his pride, saying, “I couldn’t be happier. He’s surpassed some great players. I’m proud of him and happy for everything he’s achieving.”
The Padres suffered their fifth consecutive loss, bringing their record to just above .500.
After Ozuna’s fifth-inning homer, Adam Duvall doubled, advanced on Eddie Rosario’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Travis d’Arnaud’s single to right. Arcia then hit a 401-foot homer to left-center, his seventh, receiving Ozuna’s approval from the dugout.
The Padres initially led 1-0 in the fourth inning when Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado hit back-to-back doubles.
Schwellenbach, who debuted in the major leagues on May 29, two days before his 24th birthday, made his eighth start and allowed just one run and three hits over seven innings, with three strikeouts and one walk.
Snitker highlighted Schwellenbach’s ability to limit the damage after the consecutive doubles in the fourth, saying, “That’s probably the most impressive thing, he just kept it to that. He was really good, hitting with all his pitches. I was glad he could touch the seventh inning, too. That’s a really, really good lineup, too.”
Waldron allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: Activated 2B Xander Bogaerts from the disabled list. Optioned C Brett Sullivan to Triple-A El Paso. Recalled RHP Sean Reynolds from El Paso. Placed LHP Wandy Peralta on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a left adductor strain.
UP NEXT
Braves RHP Reynaldo López (7-2, 1.71 ERA) and Padres RHP Dylan Cease (7-8, 4.21 ERA) are scheduled to start Saturday night.
