SAN DIEGO — John Smoltz cleared his mind of all the bad things that happened to him in Boston, fixed his delivery and had a brilliant debut with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Smoltz struck out a season-high nine - including seven consecutive, which he'd never done before - and held the San Diego Padres to three hits over five scoreless innings in a 5-2 victory Sunday.
St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols hit his 40th home run, the fifth time he's reached that plateau.
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.
Although Manager Tony La Russasaid 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.
The 42-year-old Smoltz (1-0) signed with the Cardinals on Wednesday after he cleared waivers following his release from Boston. 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.
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 Jr. snapped the streak with a single to shallow left-center leading off the fourth.
"I just felt like I was in command, I was in charge of the strike zone," he said.
ROCKIES 4, GIANTS 2
Ubaldo Jimenez (12-9) threw eight strong innings, outpitching Tim Lincecum, and Seth Smith hit a two-run home run in the seventh for host Colorado in a victory over San Francisco.
CUBS 3, DODGERS 1
Jake Fox went 4 for 4 with a home run and two RBI, and visiting Chicago rallied to avert a four-game sweep by Los Angeles.
BRAVES 7, MARLINS 5
Brian McCann hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning and matched a career high with five RBI, leading host Atlanta to a victory over Florida.
DIAMONDBACKS 7, ASTROS 5
Ryan Roberts matched a career high with four hits, helping visiting Arizona end a season-high seven-game skid with a victory over Houston.
NATIONALS 8, BREWERS 3
Ryan Zimmerman, Cristian Guzman and Adam Dunn homered to help host Washington end a five-game skid with a victory over Milwaukee.
REDS 4, PIRATES 1
Homer Bailey (3-4) pitched seven sharp innings and visiting Cincinnati ended Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak.
American League RANGERS 4, RAYS 0 Scott Feldman (13-4) struckout a career-high 11 to win his fifth consecutive road start and visiting Texas avoided a three-game sweep by beating Tampa Bay.
BLUE JAYS 8, ANGELS 3
Ricky Romero (11-5) won for the first time in four starts, Travis Snider hit a home run and host Toronto beat Los Angeles.
ATHLETICS 9, TIGERS 4
Jack Cust hit two home runs and drove in four runs, Landon Powell added a three-run shot and host Oakland beat Detroit.
ORIOLES 5, WHITE SOX 4
Brian Roberts had three hits and Nolan Reimold hit a two-run home run to help visiting Baltimore beat Mark Buehrle (11-7) and Chicago. Jason Berken (3-11) earned the victory.
TWINS 10, ROYALS 3
Michael Cuddyer homered twice in Minnesota's eight-run seventh inning, and Denard Span added a three-run triple, helping host Minnesota break open a close game against Kansas City.
INDIANS 6, MARINERS 1
Fausto Carmona (3-8) pitched seven innings for his first victory in more than three months and host Cleveland beat Felix Hernandez (12-5) and Seattle.
YANKEES 8, RED SOX 4
Derek Jeter hit the first pitch of the game for one of New York's five home runs off Josh Beckett (14-5) and CC Sabathia (15-7) became the majors' first pitcher to post 15 victories as visiting New York beat Boston.
Sunday's games NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia 9, NY Mets 7 Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 1 Atlanta 7, Florida 5 Washington 8, Milwaukee 3 Arizona 7, Houston 5 Colorado 4, San Francisco 2 St. Louis 5, San Diego 2 Chicago Cubs 3, LA Dodgers 1 AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland 6, Seattle 1 Toronto 8, LA Angels 3 Texas 4, Tampa Bay 0 Baltimore 5, Chicago White Sox 4 Minnesota 10, Kansas City 3 Oakland 9, Detroit 4 NY Yankees 8, Boston 4
Sports, Pages 16 on 08/24/2009