Ozuna warms up for Home Run Derby with 2 hits in Braves' 6-1 win over Padres

Asked about his potential for the Derby, he replied: “Yes, 100%. I’m going to have fun and set an example for my kids.”

Ozuna, who hit a career-high 40 homers last year, hit deep in both games of a doubleheader against the Padres in Atlanta on May 20.

“I’m not trying” to hit home runs, he said. “I’m just trying to hit the ball on the barrel. I’m swinging really well and I’m happy.”

New starter Spencer Schwellenbach was impressed with Ozuna’s power.

“It’s always fun. He always has good at-bats and baseballs. I guess he’s ready for the Derby.”

Ozuna also set a Braves record with 77 RBIs before the break.

“I couldn’t be happier,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s in good company, too, the guys he’s passed. I’m proud of him and happy for him, for everything he’s accomplished.”

The Padres lost their fifth straight game and fell to one game above .500.

After Ozuna’s home run in the fifth, Adam Duvall doubled, advanced on Eddie Rosario’s sacrifice fly and scored on Travis d’Arnaud’s single to right. Arcia followed with a 401-foot home run to left-center field, his seventh, as Ozuna gestured approval from the dugout.

The Padres had taken a 1-0 lead against Schwellenbach (3-4) when Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the fourth.

Schwellenbach made his major league debut on May 29, two days before he turned 24.

In his eighth start, he held the Padres to one run and three hits in seven innings, with three strikeouts and a walk.

Snitker said it was important that Schwellenbach shut down the Padres after they allowed back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning.

“That’s probably the most impressive thing, he just kept it that way. He hit every pitch he threw. He was really good. I was glad he got to the seventh inning, too,” Snitker said. “That’s a really, really good lineup, too.”

Waldron allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Padres: Activated 2B Xander Bogaerts from the disabled list. Optioned catcher Brett Sullivan to Triple-A El Paso. Recalled right-handed pitcher Sean Reynolds from El Paso. Placed left-handed pitcher Wandy Peralta on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a strained left adductor muscle.

FOLLOWING

Braves right-handed pitcher Reynaldo López (7-2, 1.71 ERA) and Padres right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease (7-8, 4.21) are expected to start Saturday night.

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MLB AP: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB