Smoltz blows save, but Braves win

ATLANTA -- In the eighth inning, the fans in right field began to congregate around the railing overlooking the Atlanta Braves bullpen.

No. 29 was up and throwing.

Everyone wanted to see the latest incarnation of John Smoltz’s career.

Unveiling a three-quarters motion to relieve the pain in his aching shoulder, Smoltz came on in the ninth with a chance for his first save since 2004. He didn’t get it, giving up a two-out, two-run single to Jeremy Hermida of the Florida Marlins, but the Braves rallied for a 7-5 victory on Yunel Escobar’s two-run homer in the 10th inning Monday night.

“The beauty of this role,” Smoltz said, “is I get to go right back out and do it again.”

At 41, he hopes that pitching one inning at a time will extend his career. He’s clearly got some work to do. “I needed a little more touch,” Smoltz said. “I knew I was going to be amped up. I threw the ball awfully hard but not exactly in some of the spots.”