Smoltz charters an exclusive club
Braves' ace is first to 200 wins, 150 saves
ATLANTA -- For only the second time in a regular-season game, John Smoltz sensed an extra excitement that normally comes in the postseason.
"Euphoria," Smoltz said.
For baseball's all-time leader in postseason wins, the added edge made him feel right at home.
Smoltz became baseball's first pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, achieving the feat by throwing seven shutout innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 win over the New York Mets last night.
Smoltz talked of treating his third start of the season against his friend and former teammate Tom Glavine as a normal game, but the milestone changed that.
"I downplayed it as long as I possibly could," Smoltz said. "I tried not to think about it in any different fashion, but it was just a different game."
It was different because so much was on the line, including Smoltz's 200th career win, but it was the same because the Atlanta ace extended his string of strong starts this season.
The Turner Field crowd of 36,660 gave Smoltz a standing ovation after the game. Smoltz lifted his cap to acknowledge the crowd.
"I don't come out for many things, but I wanted to show them I appreciate it," Smoltz said.
Smoltz, who has 15 postseason wins, said he's experienced a similar thrill in a regular-season game only once.
"The first time I came out of the bullpen and the crowd went nuts," he said. "Euphoria. It felt like that again."
The 40-year-old Smoltz (7-2) gave up seven hits without a walk and struck out five in becoming the National League's first seven-game winner. In back-to-back wins over the Red Sox and Mets, Smoltz has thrown 14 scoreless innings while allowing 10 hits and one walk.
Glavine (5-2) also pitched well, giving up only five hits and two runs in six innings.
Atlanta closer Bob Wickman pitched out of trouble in the ninth, getting Jose Reyes to pop to short with the tying runner on third for his seventh save in nine chances.
Smoltz, who became the 106th major leaguer to reach 200 wins, saved an Atlanta-record 154 games from 2001-04. The only pitchers with more wins in Atlanta history are Phil Niekro (266) and Glavine (242).
Kelly Johnson led off the game with a single up the middle and later scored on Jeff Francoeur's fly ball to center. The Braves pushed the lead to 2-0 when Matt Diaz led off the second with a homer to right. 