McCarroll21
05-25-2007, 05:30 AM
Smoltz Defeats Best Friend For 200th Win
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
The game within the game. When the Braves and Mets hooked up in Turner Field on Thursday night, there was more then just the National League East standings on the line. Longtime teammates and best friends, two surefire Hall of Famers, took the mound on this historic night.
One pitcher was one win away from capturing victory number 200 in his career, while the other entered the game just five wins away from the illustrious 300.
As it turned out, the Braves got the win and John Smoltz downed Tom Glavine to move into a chapter all to his own in the baseball record books. With the win on Thursday, Smoltz became the first ever pitcher to record 200 wins and 150 saves in his career.
The Braves scored single runs in the first and second innings to give Smoltz a two run cushion, a lead that would prove to be all he would need.
Kelly Johnson led off the game with a single to center field and moved to third on a single by Martin Prado. After a groundout moved Prado into scoring position, Jeff Francoeur hit a sacrifice fly to center field to move both runners up ninety feet, Johnson scored from third to give the Braves the early lead.
Matt Diaz added the Braves second run of the game with an opposite field homer in the second inning.
From this point on, it was the classic Smoltz-Glavine pitching duel that was expected. Smoltz finished the game after pitching seven scoreless innings. He allowed seven hits and struck out five batters.
After the second inning, Glavine allowed only two hits over the next four innings before being replaced for a pinch hitter in the top of the seventh inning.
After Smoltz’ exit, Rafael Soriano and Bob Wickman were summoned from the bullpen. Soriano threw a scoreless eighth inning, extending his scoreless innings stretch to 14.2 innings. The streak dates back to a three run ninth inning in Shea Stadium on April 20.
Wickman nailed down the save after a bit of an adventure. The Mets added an unearned run in the ninth inning, but Wickman held on to close out the game and preserve the victory for Smoltz. Carlos Delgado led off the inning with a single and moved to second after a Kelly Johnson error. With runners at first and second, Ruben Gotay sacrificed the runners into scoring position ahead of an RBI groundout from Julio Franco. Wickman induced a Jose Reyes pop out to end the game.
The save was the first for Wickman since closing out a game in Shea Stadium on April 22. Since allowing six earned runs in 5.2 innings against the Mets on April 22, Smoltz has seen his ERA drop from 4.26 to 2.58.
Chipper Jones sat this game out after having a cortisone shot in his right thumb.
The Braves are now 1.5 games out of first place in the National League East and have taken all three series played against the Mets on the season. The Braves are 6-3 versus the Mets this year.
The Braves will now play the Phillies on Friday night with Tim Hudson taking the mound against Jamie Moyer.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
The game within the game. When the Braves and Mets hooked up in Turner Field on Thursday night, there was more then just the National League East standings on the line. Longtime teammates and best friends, two surefire Hall of Famers, took the mound on this historic night.
One pitcher was one win away from capturing victory number 200 in his career, while the other entered the game just five wins away from the illustrious 300.
As it turned out, the Braves got the win and John Smoltz downed Tom Glavine to move into a chapter all to his own in the baseball record books. With the win on Thursday, Smoltz became the first ever pitcher to record 200 wins and 150 saves in his career.
The Braves scored single runs in the first and second innings to give Smoltz a two run cushion, a lead that would prove to be all he would need.
Kelly Johnson led off the game with a single to center field and moved to third on a single by Martin Prado. After a groundout moved Prado into scoring position, Jeff Francoeur hit a sacrifice fly to center field to move both runners up ninety feet, Johnson scored from third to give the Braves the early lead.
Matt Diaz added the Braves second run of the game with an opposite field homer in the second inning.
From this point on, it was the classic Smoltz-Glavine pitching duel that was expected. Smoltz finished the game after pitching seven scoreless innings. He allowed seven hits and struck out five batters.
After the second inning, Glavine allowed only two hits over the next four innings before being replaced for a pinch hitter in the top of the seventh inning.
After Smoltz’ exit, Rafael Soriano and Bob Wickman were summoned from the bullpen. Soriano threw a scoreless eighth inning, extending his scoreless innings stretch to 14.2 innings. The streak dates back to a three run ninth inning in Shea Stadium on April 20.
Wickman nailed down the save after a bit of an adventure. The Mets added an unearned run in the ninth inning, but Wickman held on to close out the game and preserve the victory for Smoltz. Carlos Delgado led off the inning with a single and moved to second after a Kelly Johnson error. With runners at first and second, Ruben Gotay sacrificed the runners into scoring position ahead of an RBI groundout from Julio Franco. Wickman induced a Jose Reyes pop out to end the game.
The save was the first for Wickman since closing out a game in Shea Stadium on April 22. Since allowing six earned runs in 5.2 innings against the Mets on April 22, Smoltz has seen his ERA drop from 4.26 to 2.58.
Chipper Jones sat this game out after having a cortisone shot in his right thumb.
The Braves are now 1.5 games out of first place in the National League East and have taken all three series played against the Mets on the season. The Braves are 6-3 versus the Mets this year.
The Braves will now play the Phillies on Friday night with Tim Hudson taking the mound against Jamie Moyer.