Braves 5 Reds 2

Smoltz was in command tonight. He shut down the powerful Reds, allowing 2 solo HRs and only two other hits (no walks for the third straight start) in 8 innings with 9 Ks. All his pitches were working, and he was throwing free and easy -- quite the departure from what we've seen lately from our other starters. Smoltz had such rhythm and confidence in his pitch selection -- at one point he shook off Estrada twice, then was already into his pitching motion as he nodded to the correct sign, a pitch that resulted in a strikeout. No slouch at the plate, either -- 2-3 with a sacrifice, and the one out was blistered to deep center.

Furcal and Giles homered, and we got RBIs from Marte, Estrada (who's been hitting very well), and Jordan. Our other resident oldster, Julio Franco, had two hits and TWO stolen bases, mostly because Matt Belisle couldn't be bothered to hold him on base. I think he had a six-step jump off first and an eight-step jump off second. Someday someone might steal a base at an older age than Julio, but I'll wager nobody 46 or older will ever break his record of 2 SBs in a game.