SAN DIEGO Yangervis Solarte hit a three-run homer and Matt Kemp drove in two runs to lead the San Diego Padres to a 7-2 victory Monday night in a matchup of last-place teams.
The Braves lost their fifth straight game and dropped to 16-41, worst in the majors. The Padres improved to 24-35.
Solarte homered to right field off Williams Perez (2-2) with one out in the third inning, his fourth. Wil Myers and Kemp were aboard on singles.
Kemp hit a sacrifice fly in the first and an RBI double with one out in the fifth. Perez left with soreness in his right triceps after pitching to Kemp and was replaced by Casey Kelly, who was traded from San Diego for catcher Christian Bethancourt in December.
Solarte's comebacker hit Kelly's glove and practically knocked him over, and Melvin Upton Jr. followed with an RBI grounder to make it 6-1.
Kelly was recalled earlier Monday from Triple-A Gwinnett, his third promotion this season. To make roster room, the Braves optioned righty John Gant.
Padres lefty Christian Friedrich (3-1) held the Braves to two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
Perez yielded six runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked none.
Friedrich allowed Jeff Francoeur's RBI groundout in the first. He left after giving up Ender Inciarte's single with two outs in the seventh that put runners on first and second. Carlos Villanueva came on and allowed Chase d'Arnaud's third hit, an RBI single.
San Diego's Derek Norris hit an RBI double in the eighth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: Austin Hedges is catching games at extended spring training and could be back at Triple-A El Paso within the week. He had surgery on his left hand April 27.
UP NEXT
Braves: RHP Aaron Blair (0-4, 7.55 ERA) is scheduled to start the middle game of the series.
Padres: RHP Colin Rea (3-2, 4.85) pitches Tuesday night for San Diego.