Padres rally in 8th to beat Braves 4-1

SAN DIEGO - Jason Bartlett hit a bases-loaded infield single for the tying run with two outs in the eighth inning and Orlando Hudson followed with a two-run single as the San Diego Padres rallied to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Sunday.

Cory Luebke, making his first start of the season for the Padres, combined with four relievers on a two-hitter. Both of Atlanta's hits were doubles. The Padres took two of three from the Braves and have won four of five overall.

The Padres' rally came after the Braves scored an unearned run in the top of the eighth for a 1-0 lead.

San Diego loaded the bases on a walk, an infield single, a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk off Jonny Venters (4-1) before Will Venable popped a bunt to the pitcher for the second out.

Bartlett hit a grounder that deflected off Venters' glove and rolled to shortstop for an infield single, allowing Chris Denorfia to score the tying run. Hudson singled up the middle to bring in two more runs. Chase Headley added an RBI single.

Mike Adams (3-1) pitched the eighth for the win. Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances.

Before Bartlett's hit, the Padres were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position after going 0 for 7 on Saturday night.

The teams combined for 24 runs in the first two games of the series. San Diego won 11-2 on Friday night and Atlanta won 10-1 on Saturday night.

Atlanta's Eric Hinske reached when the Padres couldn't turn a double play on his grounder to second in the eighth. Jordan Schafer doubled to the gap in right-center and Venable fielded the ball but dropped it when he reached into his glove. That allowed Hinske to score and Schafer to take third. Jason Heyward struck out on a checked-swing.

Both starters pitched well.

Luebke struck out six and allowed one hit and two walks in five scoreless innings. He struck out the side in the first inning on 10 pitches and retired his first seven batters before allowing a double to center by Nate McLouth.

Atlanta's Tim Hudson struck out eight in six scoreless innings while allowing six hits and three walks.

Pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman had a leadoff double in the seventh and the Padres eventually loaded the bases with two outs before pinch-hitter Ryan Ludwick hit into a force play to end the threat.

NOTES: Padres 3B Headley returned after missing two games with a shoulder injury. ... The Padres recalled RHP Anthony Bass from Double-A San Antonio and optioned RHP Evan Scribner to Triple-A Tucson. This is Bass' second stint with San Diego this season. He made his big league debut on June 13 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, earning his first victory after allowing one run on five hits in five innings. He was optioned back to San Antonio the next day. Scribner posted a 7.07 ERA in 10 appearances. ... Padres RHP Aaron Harang, on the disabled list with an injured right foot, isn't expected to pitch again before the All-Star break.

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