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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:32 a.m., Sunday, April 6, 2008

Baseball: Smoltz, Teixeira lift Braves past Mets

By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA — Johan Santana was sharp. The New York Mets just couldn't do much against John Smoltz and the Braves bullpen.

Smoltz pitched five scoreless innings in his season debut and Atlanta beat New York 3-1 today to complete a two-game sweep of the rain-shortened series.

Santana (0-1) gave up only one run in seven innings, but Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer off Mets reliever Aaron Heilman in the eighth. Teixeira's shot just over the wall in right field drove in Chipper Jones, who walked with two outs.

Yunel Escobar doubled in Mark Kotsay in the third inning for the Braves' first run.

Ryan Church's single off Rafael Soriano drove in David Wright with two outs in the ninth to end the Braves' bid for a shutout. With runners on first and second, Teixeira made a diving stop of a sharp grounder by Brian Schneider to end the game.

Smoltz (1-0) allowed only two hits and two walks. Blaine Boyer, Will Ohman and Peter Moylan each pitched one scoreless inning and Soriano earned his first save.

Smoltz began the season on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.

Santana, making his first career start at Turner Field, gave up seven hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter.