SAN DIEGO – Fernando Tatis Jr. cranked a first-pitch fastball high and far into the San Diego sky, sending this crowd into a frenzy. Tatis held his pose on the swing and AJ Smith-Shawver could only watch, then attempt to regroup.
The Padres had a two-run lead after two batters against Smith-Shawver. It seemed like an ominous start to a postseason game on the road – the type of beginning that spirals into a blowout.
This did not happen, though. The Braves deployed their low-leverage relievers and those guys … kept them in the game!…