Smoltz, Braves Best Phillies

No more starts are necessary. John Smoltz is ready for the postseason.

In his final start before the playoffs, Smoltz pitched six shutout innings and won for the 11th time in 12 decisions as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 Wednesday, maintaining the best record in the National League.

"If they gave a Cy Young for the second half, I would probably win," said Smoltz (16-3), who was on the disabled list twice in the first half. "I'm proud of the way I'm finishing, and I want to keep that feeling."

Smoltz, who has a 10-3 postseason record, said he might pitch in relief to stay sharp over the final nine games of the regular season. But he doesn't want to risk further damage to his right elbow, which underwent surgery nine months ago.

"I've said a lot of prayers to get through games. It's been a struggle," he said. "I'm as proud of this year as any I've ever had."

Eddie Perez and Chipper Jones both homered and drove in two runs for the Braves, who have won six of their last seven games since a 2-8 skid that was their worst in two years.

Atlanta began the day with a half-game lead over Houston for the best record in the NL, which ensures home-field advantage throughout the league playoffs.

"It's awfully hard to win in the other team's backyard," Jones said. "We've got a couple of teams (Houston and San Diego) that are very hungry to get to the next level. I think home field is very important."

Smoltz (16-3) allowed only three hits befre turning over the big lead to the bullpen. Atlanta came within one out of its second straight shutout against the Phillies, who managed only three runs in the three-game series.

Smoltz leads the majors with an .842 winning percentage. Despite the nagging elbow pain, the 1996 Cy Young winner is having one of his best seasons.

The same can't be said of the Phillies, who have scored two runs or less in 14 of their last 25 games, including three shutouts. The offense has completely broken down since the All-Star break, when the Phillies had the best batting average in the NL.

"We didn't do much," Phillies manager Terry Francona said. "With just three runs in three days, it's tough to win."

The Phillies broke a 21-inning scoreless streak with a sacrifice fly by Ruben Amaro off Norm Charlton in the ninth.

Most of the Braves' starters, rested Tuesday after Atlanta clinched its seventh straight division title, were back in the lineup. One of the exceptions was Perez, who fit right in by going 3-for-3 with a single, double and a two-run homer.

Jones put the Braves ahead with his 34th homer, a first-inning drive over the center-field wall against Carlton Loewer (6-8), who has lost four straight decisions.

Perez made it 3-0 in the fourth with his fifth homer, a towering drive into the left-field stands. Playing behind Javy Lopez, who has 33 homers and 102 RBIs, Perez has given the Braves probably the best catching duo in the majors. He is hitting .338 with 30 RBIs.

"I know (Lopez) needs to play. I know he needs to play more than me," Perez said. "I just need a chance. It feels good to get out there once in a while."

The Braves added two more runs in the fifth after Smoltz led off with a walk. Curtis Pride, another reserve in the lineup, had a run-scoring double and went to third on the throw to the plate. Jones followed with his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly.

Philadelphia never got a runner past second against Smoltz, who benefited from a nice defensive play by Andres Galarraga after Marlon Anderson started the third with a double.

Kevin Sefcik followed with a sharp grounder to the Big Cat, who lived up to his nickname by eschewing the sure out at first, throwing across the diamond to easily get Anderson trying for third.

Pride also made a diving catch in the ninth on Amaro's liner, but the fielder wound up flat on his stomach and was in no position to throw out Scott Rolen, who trotted home from third with the Phillies only run.

Loewer allowed six hits, walked three and gave up all five runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Notes