Jake Peavy had the Braves swinging and missing at pitches all night en route to 16 strikeouts, but it wasn't enough to beat John Smotz, who was on his game. Everyone in the Braves starting lineup struck out at least once, and seven of them struck out two or more times. Andruw Jones and Ryan Langerhans struck out three times a piece, but it was Langy's blast in the second inning, a two-run shot that was the difference in the game.
Mike Piazza made it interesting with a solo shot off of Ken Ray in the eighth, but Chipper Jones added a solo homerun in the ninth off of former Brave Alan Embree to bring it back to a two-run cushion. Chris Reitsma continued his Jekyll and Hyde approach to closing with a spotless ninth inning for his eighth save.
Tonight we will see if Jorge Sosa can continue the good work he showed in his last start and not the horrible work he showed in his first six starts.
Atlanta 3, San Diego 1 at PETCO Park
Atlanta Record: (23-22)
San Diego Record: (23-22)
Winning pitcher - John Smoltz (4-2)
Losing pitcher - Jake Peavy (3-5)
SV - Chris Reitsma (8)