The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO—Colin Rea’s second big-league start was less dramatic than his first.
But it ended the same way: with a victory for the San Diego Padres’ right-hander.
Rea became just the seventh starter in Padres’ history to begin his big-league career 2-0, pitching into the sixth inning of San Diego’s 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves last night.
Odrisamer Despaigne did it last season.
“I was pretty excited. I was still nervous but I was able to focus on the game,” said Rea, who 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.
Last Tuesday, Rea won his big-league debut in San Diego with more than 70 friends and family members in attendance.
Last night, his personal cheering section included only his wife.
“It was nice to just kind of come to the field and worry about pitching tonight,” he noted.
Rea was lifted after allowing A.J. Pierzynski’s RBI single with two outs in the sixth.
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.
Rea got all the backing he needed when the Padres scored three runs on four hits off William Perez (4-4) in the second inning.
Derek Norris hit an RBI single with one out and Will Venable followed with a two-run single to right.
“I thought he was better tonight,” Padres’ interim manager Pat Murphy said of Rea.
“I felt like he made pitches tonight.
“He showed great poise again,” Murphy added. “You’ve got to take notice.”
Elsewhere in the NL, Arizona beat Pittsburgh 4-1, Miami downed Milwaukee 6-2, and St. Louis edged San Francisco 2-1.
