GatewayRedbirds.com

Ace wrote:Typical line for Franklin

1IP 1H 0ER 2BB 2K

[SHOW]

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan throws over San Diego Padres' Adrian Gonzalez while trying to turn a double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 in San Diego. Chase Headley was safe at first. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols yells at San Diego Padres' Will Venable during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, left, talks with San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, right, after a play during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. The discussion occurred after Padres' Will Venable was tagged out by Cardinals' Albert Pujols. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals players argue with San Diego Padres team members after a play during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. The argument occurred after Padres' Will Venable was tagged out by Cardinals' Albert Pujols. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, right, tags San Diego Padres' Will Venable, left, between home and first during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 in San Diego. The play caused an argument between Pujols and Venable. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz scores ahead of the tag by San Diego Padres catcher Nick Hundley during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right, points skyward as teammate Matt Holliday, left, looks on after Pujols hit a home run off San Diego Padres pitcher Edward Mujica during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols watches the flight of a solo home run hit off of San Diego Padres pitcher Edward Mujica during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


San Diego Padres pitcher Cesar Carrillo delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)


St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Associated Press-SAN DIEGO -- John Smoltz had a brilliant debut with the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out a season-high nine -- including seven straight -- and holding San Diego to three hits over five scoreless innings in a 5-2 victory Sunday.

Smoltz also had a bunt single and scored the first run for the NL Central-leading Cardinals, who retained their eight-game lead over the Chicago Cubs. He didn't walk a batter.

Albert Pujols hit his 40th homer, a leadoff shot to right in the fourth. It was the fifth time he's hit 40 homers and the first since 2006, when he hit a career-high 49.

The benches and bullpens emptied momentarily after Pujols apparently thought Padres rookie Will Venable threw an elbow while being tagged out to end the sixth inning. No punches were thrown and order was quickly restored.

The 42-year-old Smoltz (1-0) signed with the Cardinals on Wednesday after he cleared waivers following his release from the Boston Red Sox. He had a dreadful performance with the Red Sox, going 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA after attempting a comeback from shoulder surgery. In six of his eight starts, he allowed five earned runs or more.

It helped that his Cardinals debut was against the Padres, who at .240 have the second-worst batting average in the majors.

The first two Padres batters reached against Smoltz, including Everth Cabrera with a leadoff infield single, but didn't score. After getting Adrian Gonzalez to hit into a double play, Smoltz began his strikeout streak by fanning cleanup hitter Chase Headley.

Smoltz struck out the side the next two innings. Tony Gwynn snapped the streak with a single to shallow left-center leading off the fourth. Gwynn and Gonzalez were the only Padres who didn't strike out against Smoltz.

The nine strikeouts were his most since consecutive 10-strikeout games on April 14 and 22, 2008, while with Atlanta.

ThatGuy wrote:Ha, the NSBBers were just not having ICE's updates of the game. Pretty funny. Also, it's funny that Keener is still bitter about being banned.

ThatGuy wrote:Ha, the NSBBers were just not having ICE's updates of the game. Pretty funny. Also, it's funny that Keener is still bitter about being banned.

Although manager Tony La Russa said Smoltz was tipping pitches, the veteran managed to regain his confidence.

"I don't know to the extent how long it was going on, or if it was, but I just know it's refreshing to come and do something and feel like the old John," Smoltz said.

Radbird wrote:Smoltz terrific in Cards debut

Although manager Tony La Russa said Smoltz was tipping pitches, the veteran managed to regain his confidence.

"I don't know to the extent how long it was going on, or if it was, but I just know it's refreshing to come and do something and feel like the old John," Smoltz said.

Think how well he'll do when he doesn't tip his pitches.