SAN DIEGO - The Atlanta Braves headed home from a western swing on a hot streak they hope to continue in their biggest series of the season.
Will Smith struck out the side around three walks in the ninth inning to finish the Braves' 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, which opened a 2 1/2-game lead for the National League East Division leaders over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies, who had won five straight before losing 6-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier in the afternoon.
The Braves are the three-time reigning division champions, and after taking Monday off they welcome the Phillies to Truist Park for a three-game series. Atlanta's magic number for clinching the NL East title is five, meaning a Braves sweep would extend their reign.
"This is what you play for," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "We've got a lot of work to do in the next week."
After facing Atlanta, Philadelphia ends with a three-game road series against the Miami Marlins. The Braves close at home with three games against the New York Mets, with a makeup game against the Colorado Rockies possible on Oct. 4 if it's needed to decide the NL East.
At San Diego, Atlanta pinch-hitter Orlando Arcia hit a go-ahead double in the sixth off Pierce Johnson (3-4). Joc Pederson homered and scored twice for the Braves, who have led the division since Aug. 15 and won for the seventh time in nine games despite walking seven Padres.
After beating the Padres 4-0 on Friday with a masterful pitching performance by Max Fried and rallying for a 10-8 win in 10 innings on Saturday, things got interesting for the Braves in the series finale after they led 3-0 through 4 1/2 innings - and especially in the ninth.
Smith walked Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado, then threw a called third strike past pinch-hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. on a low slider to the inside corner.
"Just trying to get him out," Smith said.
Smith walked Tommy Pham on four pitches, loading the bases, and pitching coach Rick Kranitz went to the mound.
Trent Grisham took a called third strike on a borderline high fastball on inside corner that plate umpire Greg Gibson called the pitcher's way.
Smith fell behind Ha-Seong Kim 2-0 before evening the count. Kim fouled off a slider, then got him to swing under a fastball for his 35th save in 41 chances this year. Catcher Vic Caratini caught a foul tip for the final out.
"Will never gives in. He has a big stomach," Snitker said.
San Diego, eliminated from postseason contention a day earlier, lost for the 14th time in 17 games and at 78-78 dropped to .500 for the first time since a 10-10 start.
"There was not much you could do with those pitches to Tatis and Grisham," Padres manager Jayce Tingler said.
A.J. Minter (3-7) recorded one out for the pitching win. Atlanta finished the road portion of its 2021 schedule at 46-35.
Joe Musgrove, whose April 9 no-hitter on the road against the Texas Rangers was a San Diego season highlight, allowed three runs and nine hits in five innings with nine strikeouts.
"It's everything for me - being able to pitch in my hometown for a team I have wanted to play for my whole life," Musgrove said.
Pederson homered in the second, and the Braves too a 3-0 lead in the fourth on doubles by Austin Riley and Travis d'Arnaud and a bloop single to center by pinch- hitter Ehire Adrianza that Grisham misplayed by originally going back.
Cronenworth hit a two-run triple in the fifth off Jacob Webb and scored on Machado's single, but it wouldn't be enough for the Padres.
"This team has a bunch of heart," d'Arnaud said, "and I am excited to be a part of it."
The Braves reinstated right-handed pitcher Touki Toussaint from the bereavement list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.