Glavine Loses Again To Braves, Wilson Saves Day

Tom Glavine pitched against the Braves for the 16th time tonight. Before this game, he had a 3-9 record with a 5.68 ERA, the worst against any other team with more than 10 games started against them. The Braves made it worse and tacked on another loss to that record, defeating the Mets 5-3.

But they almost didn't.

John Smoltz started the game for the Braves and pitched all right, giving up just two runs in six innings, despite a WHIP near 2 for the game. Paul LoDuca drove in the first run for the Mets with a solo homer, but the Braves got it right back with an RBI groundout by Jeff Francoeur. Matt Diaz hit a solo shot off of Glavine in the bottom of the second to put the Braves up 2-1. In the top of the fifth, Jose Reyes walked, reached third on an infield groundout and Carlos Beltran singled him home.

The Braves scored three in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to two sac flies and a bases-loaded single. The Mets got a run back in the seventh and the scored remained so going into the ninth. With one out, Carlos Delgado walked and David Wright singled him to third. Moises Alou flew out to center field and Wright stole second.

Shawn Green then smacked what looked like a double to right, which would have tied the game, but it found Craig Wilson's glove instead, sealing the game for the Braves.

W - John Smoltz (1-0)
L - Tom Glavine (1-1)
S - Bob Wickman (2)
HR - NYM - Paul LoDuca (1)
ATL - Matt Diaz (1)

Three Stars
1B Craig Wilson - 1-2, R, BB; game-winning catch made on Shawn Green line drive
P John Smoltz - 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO, W
RF Shawn Green - 3-5, 2B, RBI