While the Padres have spent the better part of the last two weeks clubbing teams to death with their suddenly potent offense, do not be fooled.
This is still, at its core, a pitching and defense king of team.
That's how they beat the Braves 3-2 in 12 innings at Petco Park on Saturday night. After several missed opportunities to score runs (Tommy Medica created a couple of them with two more hits), the Friars found themselves in deep trouble in the top of the 12th.
Atlanta loaded the bases against Tim Stauffer with nobody out. After a lengthy meeting on the mound, Stauffer got Evan Gattis to ground in to a 5-2-3 double play, then got Chris Johnson on another groundout to escape with no runs scored.
In the bottom of that very same inning, the Padres loaded the bases with one out against All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, who was trying to go more than one inning for only the third time this season.
After walking the bases loaded, Kimbrel grooved one to Will Venable, and Will didn't miss it. His line drive soared over the head of right fielder Jason Hayward, who misplayed it but would not have been able to throw out Yangervis Solarte at the plate anyway.
Since the All-Star break the Padres have gone 9-6, and have a chance to sweep Atlanta on Sunday behind All-Star Tyson Ross, who gets the start against former Padre and San Diego native Aaron Harang.
