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Smoltz pitches six strong innings; Braves take advantage of miscues

Apr 8, 2007 - 4:38 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- At some point, the New York Mets were bound to stop playing perfectly.

Shawn Green's fielding error ignited a three-run sixth inning for the Atlanta Braves in a 5-3 victory over the Mets in a cold and windy day at Turner Field.

John Smoltz pitched six strong innings to outduel good friend Tom Glavine for the win and Matt Diaz homered for the Braves, who improved to 4-1 this season.

"When you're out there pitching and trying to win the game, it's difficult to think about who you're facing," Glavine said. "But it's a little more difficult (not to think about it) with a friend out there."

New York entered the contest outscoring the opposition, 31-3, in the first four games without an error before making two Saturday.

With the game tied, 2-2, in the sixth inning and the bases loaded, Diaz hit a fly ball to right field. Appearing to struggle with the elements, Green dropped the ball, allowing Andruw Jones to score from third base.

"It was the wind," Green said. "I turned the wrong way and the wind pushed it the other way. I spun around and everything was turned around. It hit off my glove."

"On a day like this, everybody's going to have a tough time getting a feel for the ball," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "I thought (Green) had a bead on it. He's a pretty good defensive outfielder."

Two batters after pinch hitter Chris Woodward's sacrifice fly gave Atlanta a 4-2 edge, Edgar Renteria capped the inning with a run-scoring infield single.

Smoltz (1-0) allowed two runs and seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Two relievers pitched an inning apiece before closer Bob Wickman worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth before notching his second save.

"I think the bragging rights are reserved for who gets to go to the playoffs and the World Series," Smoltz said. (Facing the Mets), is too intense. "Their lineup doesn't allow you to smile."

After allowing a walk and a single that put runners on the corners with one out, Wickman got Moises Alou on a flyout and Green on a lineout to end the rally.

"I did what I wanted to do, hit the ball hard and on the line," Green said. "But that's baseball."

Glavine (1-1) continued to struggle in his starts against the Braves, surrendering five runs - two earned - and four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The lefthander is 3-10 in 16 starts against his former team and missed out on a chance to notch his 292nd career win.

"I struggled with consistency," Glavine said. "It was a tough day. I was not feeling comfortable with my grip, but that's the kind of thing you have to battle through."

Paul Lo Duca homered in the first inning for New York, which failed in its bid to tie the franchise record of five consecutive wins to start the season set in 1985.