Sanchez (3-0) scattered four hits, struck out six and didn't issue a walk in picking up his first career victory against San Diego. His longest scoreless stint of the season allowed him to lower his career ERA against the Padres to 2.23.

The veteran right-hander has allowed just two earned runs over his past three starts, a stretch of 19 1/3 innings.

Inciarte was 2-for-3 with two runs. He hit his fifth homer, a solo shot in the fifth.

Atlanta closer Arodys Vizcaino picked up his 13th save. He allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning, the fifth straight appearance in which he allowed at least one baserunner. However, Vizcaino then induced a flyout and got Manuel Margot to hit into a game-ending double play.

The losing pitcher was Tyson Ross (5-4), who allowed three runs on three hits and one walk in six innings. Ross struck out four but saw his three-game winning streak end. The Padres had won each of the last six games in which Ross started.

Atlanta scored a run in the third when Inciarte singled and came home on Ozzie Albies' 20th double.

Inciarte homered to right field off Ross in the fifth inning and the drove home Tyler Flowers with an infield grounder in the seventh for a 3-0 Atlanta lead.

The Padres scored twice in the eighth against reliever Dan Winkler. Eric Hosmer lined a double just inside the first base bag that scored Jose Pirela and Cory Spangenberg.

Atlanta got an insurance run in the eighth against sidewinding reliever Adam Cimber. Freddie Freeman doubled with two outs, and the Padres intentionally walked Nick Markakis. Tyler Flowers hit a comebacker to the mound, but Cimber fired the ball over the head of first baseman Hosmer as Freeman scored.

The teams play the second game of the four-game series on Friday. Each team has won twice in the season series.

--Field Level Media