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Braves attempt to regroup in wake of Smoltz's departure

Jun 5, 2008 - 1:45 PM Florida (32-26) at Atlanta (31-29) 7:10 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The same day that the Atlanta Braves announced that John Smoltz would miss the rest of the season, the bullpen he was supposed to join blew a late lead, leaving the team up in arms in their search for a reliable late-inning option.

With their bullpen in flux, the Braves conclude their four-game series with the Florida Marlins on Thursday.

After Smoltz made six appearances, including five starts, the righthander was placed on the disabled list on April 29 with right shoulder inflammation. He made his return in the series opener on Monday and blew a save, only to be placed back on the DL two days later.

Then, just hours before Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Marlins, Smoltz was ruled out for the season - and possibly his career - after reporting intense pain in his shoulder following Monday's outing.

This development hinders a Braves' bullpen that has already blown seven of 16 save opportunities, including Wednesday's game in which rookie reliever Manny Acosta surrendered a pair of two-run homers in the ninth, and was counting on Smoltz to return as a stabilizing force at the end of the game.

If Atlanta can take any positives heading into Thursday's series finale, it might be that it remains one of the major's best home teams, going 24-8 at Turner Field. It also will turn to young starter Jair Jurrjens (5-3, 3.45 ERA).

The righthander has had a stellar start to his career with the Braves after coming over in the offseason trade for shortstop Edgar Renteria. After winning four of his first seven starts of the season, Jurrjens has hit a wall of late, giving up nine runs and eight walks in nine innings over two starts.

On Saturday, Jurrjens lasted just 4 1/3 innings in an 8-7 loss at Cincinnati, giving up six runs and nine hits with six walks.

The Marlins will counter with Ricky Nolasco (5-3, 4.48), who has won each of his last three starts. The righthander was solid once again on Saturday, allowing two runs and four hits over 6 2/3 frames in a 7-3 win at Philadelphia.

Florida will be aiming for a split of the four-game set after snapping a three-game losing streak on Wednesday.