Braves 6 - 2 Rockies
Final
  for this game

Smoltz takes the mound, new deal in hand

Apr 28, 2007 - 3:19 PM Atlanta (14-8) at Colorado (9-14) 8:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - The Atlanta Braves locked up their ace for what they hope will be the rest of his career. On Saturday, John Smoltz will try to prove his club did the right thing.

Smoltz takes the mound Saturday when the Braves visit the Colorado Rockies in the second game of a three-game series.

The righthander, who turns 40 on May 15, signed a one-year extension Wednesday with a vesting option for 2009 and a club option for 2010. The deal virtually guarantees Smoltz will play his entire career in a Braves uniform.

"Words can't describe how thrilled I am to have the opportunity to finish my career as an Atlanta Brave," Smoltz said. "I am thankful to the Braves organization for giving me the chance to play this long and to play out my entire career with one team."

Smoltz, who could have been a free agent after this season, owns a career record of 195-138 with 154 saves and a 3.28 ERA. He and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley are the only pitchers in major league history to post at least 150 wins and 150 saves.

Howeer, Smoltz suffered through his worst start of the season his last time out, yielding six runs in 5 2/3 innings against the New York Mets on Sunday.

The Rockies will counter with youngster Jason Hirsh. The 25-year-old rookie struck out seven and allowed two runs over seven innings in Sunday's win over San Diego.

Atlanta pounded out 17 hits en route to a 9-7 win in Friday's series opener.








  • NL
    FINAL
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    - - - - - - - - - - - -
    ATLANTA 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 6 6 1
    COLORADO 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 10 1 (FINAL)

    BATTERIES: ATL - JOHN SMOLTZ, MIKE GONZALEZ (8TH), RAFAEL SORIANO (9TH) AND
    BRIAN MCCANN
    COL - JASON HIRSH, JEREMY AFFELDT (7TH), MANNY CORPAS
    (8TH), BRIAN FUENTES (9TH) AND

    Apr 28 10:36 PM


  • NL
    AT COLORADO - SCORING UPDATE
    SOLO HOME RUN BY EDGAR RENTERIA (4) TO RIGHT WITH 2 OUT IN
    THE 9TH OFF BRIAN FUENTES.
    CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 6, COLORADO 2
    DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: C JONES (.322, 1-FOR-3, BB, 2 RBI)

    Braves vs. RockiesApr 28 10:25 PM


  • NL
    AT COLORADO - SCORING UPDATE
    TRIPLE BY KELLY JOHNSON SCORED RYAN LANGERHANS.
    SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, K JOHNSON ON THIRD, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 5
    COLORADO 2 TOP, 4TH
    DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: E RENTERIA (.341, 0-FOR-1, BB)

    Braves vs. RockiesApr 28 9:06 PM


  • NL
    AT COLORADO - SCORING UPDATE
    SOLO HOME RUN BY JEFF FRANCOEUR (5) TO LEFT WITH 0 OUT IN
    THE 4TH OFF JASON HIRSH.
    CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 4, COLORADO 2
    DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: S THORMAN (.244, 0-FOR-1)

    Braves vs. RockiesApr 28 9:01 PM


  • NL
    AT COLORADO - SCORING UPDATE
    SACRIFICE FLY BY ANDRUW JONES SCORED EDGAR RENTERIA.
    SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, C JONES ON FIRST, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 3
    COLORADO 2 TOP, 3RD
    DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: B MCCANN (.307, 0-FOR-1)

    Braves vs. RockiesApr 28 8:50 PM


  • NL
    AT COLORADO - SCORING UPDATE
    SINGLE BY CHIPPER JONES SCORED RYAN LANGERHANS AND KELLY
    JOHNSON.
    SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, C JONES ON FIRST, E RENTERIA ON THIRD, 1 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 2
    COLORADO 2 TOP, 3RD
    DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: A JONES (.228, 0-FOR-1)

    Braves vs. RockiesApr 28 8:49 PM


  • NL
    AT COLORADO - SCORING UPDATE
    TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY TROY TULOWITZKI (2) TO RIGHT CENTER
    WITH 0 OUT IN THE 1ST OFF JOHN SMOLTZ SCORED WILLY TAVERAS.
    CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 0, COLORADO 2
    DUE UP FOR COLORADO: G ATKINS (.268, 2 HR, 12 RBI)

    Braves vs. RockiesApr 28 8:20 PM

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