SAN DIEGO — Rookie pitcher Colin Rea won his second straight start and Will Venable hit a two-run single to help the San Diego Padres beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Monday night.
Rea became the seventh starter in Padres history to begin his big-league career 2-0. Odrisamer Despaigne did it last season.
Rea allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking one. His only big mistake was allowing a home run to former Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin leading off the fourth, his 10th.
Rea was lifted after allowing A.J. Pierzynski’s RBI single with two outs in the sixth. He had pitched five innings for a 1-0 victory against Cincinnati last Tuesday.
Craig Kimbrel, obtained from the Braves the day before the season started, pitched a shaky ninth for his 34th save. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk.