And that is what consecutive victories look like. This team has been full of surprises this season, some good and some bad. The past two games could be categorized as one of those nice surprises. Back-to-back Braves wins is just what the doctor ordered for this team (and, quite frankly, for this blog).

Following two rehab games, Kelly Johnson came off the DL with a vengeance. He replaced Joey Terdoslavich, last night’s hitting hero, on the roster, and picked up right where Joey left off, earning an RBI in his first at-bat with a single
that scored Nick Markakis. He ended his evening with a 3-for-4 line. Welcome back, Mr. Johnson.

The Braves bats remained alive tonight, picking up 14 hits, all of which were very 2015 stereotypical Braves-like singles. The pitchers even got in on the offense, as they led off the 3rd inning with a base hit and then scored when Freddie Freeman grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. Speaking of Braves stereotypes, three different Braves grounded into double plays in this game. Shockingly enough, they were Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons, and Chris Johnson.

AJ Pierzynski feasted on Padre pitching tonight, turning in a 3-for-4 night with two runs scored. We get to watch him be our main catcher now for six more weeks.

Cameron Maybin remains awesome, going 2-for-3 tonight with a walk and a bases-loaded hit in the 7th. He is now 6-for-8 this season with the bases loaded and has collected 9 RBIs in those instances. That’ll do, Mr. Maybin.

The Williams Perezes pitched very well, allowing only 4 hits and 1 run over seven innings. What a find they’ve been. Brandon Cunniff took care of the 8th in scoreless fashion and Jim Johnson did the same in the 9th. Just when you start feeling comfortable about being able to say for certainty what the Braves bullpen is, the guys come out and surprise you in two straight games.

If you’re a fan of good outfield catches (which, as a baseball fan, you really should be), the Braves turned in a clinic tonight. Markakis robbed Venable with a diving stop for the first out of the game, and in the 4th K. Johnson took a hit away from Melvin. Maybin did not want his corner outfielders to show him up, so he got in on the fun with an over-the-shoulder catch at the wall to end the 5th and save a second Padres run.

The Braves finish up their series with San Diego tomorrow at noon, when Julio Teheran toes the rubber for the home team. This has been a tale of two seasons for him, but hopefully he can build off the success he found in his last start to lead this team to a series win. In a four-game series. Wouldn’t that be nice?