BlueBaron

By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
August 25, 2007

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- John Smoltz handled one of the teams that has given him the most trouble over the years, helping the Atlanta Braves end a three-game losing streak.

Smoltz worked eight innings for the second straight start and Mark Teixeira drove in his 29th run in 22 games with the Braves in a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

Smoltz is 11-11 with six saves for his career against the Cardinals, who had been one of only two teams with a winning record against the 1996 Cy Young winner. He also raised his record to 4-7 in St. Louis.

"There's places where pitchers are not comfortable, and I haven't been comfortable here," Smoltz said. "I love pitching with the atmosphere because there's always a ton of people, but the results haven't worked out. That's the way the game is."

Chipper Jones had a two-run double and Teixeira had an RBI single in a five-run fifth against Kip Wells that put Atlanta ahead 7-2. Paul McCann had a two-run double in the third for the Braves, who didn't need a closer on the day they cut ties with Bob Wickman.

Smoltz (12-6) limited the Cardinals to two runs and six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. It was a strong followup to his last outing against the Diamondbacks in which he had a season-best 12 strikeouts.

The only team with an edge over Smoltz now is the San Francisco Giants at 15-12.

"He was dynamite," manager Bobby Cox said. "He was dominating, just threw a ton of strikes and pitched a super ballgame."

Chris Duncan had a two-run double in the third for the Cardinals, who weren't competitive for the second straight game after losing 11-3 to the Marlins on Thursday night. Wells (6-14), who had won his previous two starts, lasted only four innings and allowed seven runs -- five earned -- on eight hits.

"He just wasn't as good today," manager Tony La Russa said. "I'm not going to dissect it."

MLB - Atlanta Braves/St. Louis Cardinals Recap Friday August 24, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports