Smoltz regroups and is too tough for Rockies

Making his first start after signing that new contract, John Smoltz wasn't fooling anyone in the first inning. He started the game by walking Rockies speedster, Willy Tavares and then followed that by giving up a 2-run homerun to Troy Tulowitzki. He also gave up a double to Todd Helton before getting out of a hellish 1st inning. But what makes John Smoltz so great is his composure, he regrouped and struck out two in the next inning. The Braves got their offense started in the 2nd inning when Chipper Jones connected with a 2-run single that scored both Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson. In the third inning, Smoltz got a little help from his All-Star centerfielder, Andruw Jones. Jones robbed Garrett Atkins of a homerun to preserve the Braves lead.

"Nothing to it. It's all about positioning, finding the wall and locating the ball" said Andruw Jones after the game.

Atlanta had a big inning in the fourth when Jeff Francoeur hit an absolute, no doubter to deep left field. The Braves added to the score later in the inning when Kelly Johnson tripled and scored Langerhans. And the Braves final run came in the 9th inning when Edgar Renteria took Rockies closer, Brian Fuentes deep.

John Smoltz had a rough start but was able recollect himself and pitch 7 strong innings, 2 earned runs(both in the 1st inning), struck out 8 and walked only 1 batter. He was replaced in the 8th inning by Mike Gonzalez who pitched a scoreless inning of work, striking out one and was then replaced by Rafael Soriano in the 9th inning and Soriano was fantastic, striking out 2 men and gave up no runs.

WP: John Smoltz(3-1)
LP: John Hirsh(2-2)

HR: ATL- Jeff Francoeur(5) and Edgar Renteria(4) COL- Troy Tulowitzki(2)

The Braves will go for the sweep later today at 3:05 PM ET. We have Kyle Davies going and they have Aaron Cook going.