We went down to the Braves-Mets game to see Smoltz take on Glavine. The game had an added significance as Smoltz was going for his 200th career win. Janet went down to the box office earlier in the day to buy tickets so that we wouldn’t have to potentially wait in a long line again like we did when Maddux pitched earlier this month. The game ended up having an announced attendance of 36,000+, the same as the Padres/Maddux game, so we made the right move to buy tickets early.

The game was overall well-pitched as both Smoltz and Glavine moved quickly through the first five innings. The Braves were able to get to Glavine in the first inning, but only managed one run. Diaz hit a solo shot to right in the 2nd to make it 2-0. After that, both teams’ offenses were shut down. Glavine ended up pitching six innings, giving up 2 runs. Glavine got a smattering of boos when he came up to bat, but the intensity of the hatred has lessened since the first couple of years that Glavine came to town.

Smoltz pitched seven full, not allowing any runs and striking out seven. Soriano handled the eighth and Wickman came in for the save in the ninth. He got into a little trouble, largely because of a couple of bloop hits and a crucial error by Kelly Johnson while trying to turn a double play. While the Mets scored a run, the game ended on a Reyes popout and Smoltz had his 200th victory. With the win, Smoltz became the second pitcher in MLB history to have 200 wins and 150 saves; Eckersley is the other.

Glavine moved to 3-11 lifetime against the Braves since he turncoated. While he pitched better today than in the majority of his other losses, he still couldn’t overcome the Curse of Benedict Arnold.

After the game, everyone gave Smoltz a well-deserved round of applause and they had a tribute to him on the big screen highlighting his career accomplishments.