Ervin Santana is starting to live up to the billing that forced the Braves to go out and spend $14 million dollars on the veteran right-hander. Evan Gattis provided the offense for Atlanta with a solo homerun in the 7th and an RBI single in the 8th leading to a 2-0 Braves win.

Santana went eight shutout innings allowing five hits, no walks, while tying a career high eleven punch-out’s. This is Santana’s fifth win in his last six starts bringing his record to 10-6 and his ERA is now well below a 4.00, it comes out to a 3.63 ERA. Santana has pitched two straight starts where he struck out double-digit batters. In those two starts he has compiled 15.1 innings allowing only one run while striking out 21 batters.

The Braves right-handers pitch of choice was the slider. Nine of Santana’s eleven strikes came off of the slider. The key for Ervin was the fact he got ahead on the first pitch to 24 of the 29 batters he faced and he didn’t reach a 3-ball count all afternoon. He was in command and pounded the zone for strikes and the Padres hitters had no chance to score a run off of him today.

Atlanta’s offense had to face recently called up 37-year old left-hander Jason Lane who used to be an outfielder for the Houston Astros. The Braves hitters weren’t fooled by anything he was throwing but they couldn’t seem to barrel anything for base-hits that led to runs. Lane pitched very well going six plus innings allowing six hits and one run, while not walking a single batter and striking out two. The only mistake Lane made was the 0-1 slider to Gattis that he deposited over the left field wall to give the Braves a 1-0 lead to start the seventh inning. Kudos to Jason Lane as he reinvented himself to become a starting pitcher at the major league level after his offensive career seemed to be over.

Evan Gattis was the offensive hero for the Braves. Gattis went 3-for-4 today with a homerun and 2-RBIs. His timing seems to be coming around as he has gone 5 for his last 6. Gattis’ recent success could prove to be very valuable on this west coast road trip that sees the likes of the Dodgers, Padres, and Mariners who all can pitch very well. And with Jason Heyward being listed as day-to-day after he left this game with lower back soreness, Gattis’ power bat could pick up the slack for an already inconsistent offense.

Another bright spot from this game was the defensive showcase by none other than Braves Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Just see for yourself.

SD@ATL: Simmons barehands a grounder, retires Venable
7/28/14: Andrelton Simmons barehands a tough ground ball and throws to first to rob Will Venable of an infield single

Justin Upton joined the party with this spectacular throw to nail Yonder Alonzo at second base.

SD@ATL: J. Upton throws out Alonso at second base
7/28/14: Justin Upton makes a strong throw to second base to easily retire Yonder Alonso, trying to extend a single into a double in the 7th

After Ervin Santana’s eight shutout innings, closer Craig Kimbrel came in and recorded his 32nd save of the season. He did in dominating fashion striking out the side on 13 pitches. This is Kimbrel’s second straight save in which he struck out the side.

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About the author
Parker White
Sports journalist from Midlothian, Virginia. Co-editor and writer for the NBA and MLB sections at VAVEL USA. Follow me on Twitter @spudwhite1022