Cardinals put brakes on Smoltz

ST. LOUIS - John Smoltz lost a game Friday.

That's news, folks. Pretty big news, actually.

It hadn't happened since June 6. That's back when people thought the Washington Nationals were the Second Coming, Bear in mind, though, Atlanta's ace wasn't just up against any opponent - both the lineup and opposing pitcher.

The National League's best, the St. Louis Cardinals, handed Smoltz a loss for the first time in 11 starts, 11-3, Friday in front of a typically boisterous Busch Stadium sellout crowd of 47,838.

Smoltz (12-6) gave up five runs in six innings, but did strike out six and his two walks were intentional.

"I felt pretty good," said Smoltz, who had won eight in a row. "It's been a long time since I've had to answer a question about a loss. I want to start another (streak) as soon as we get home."

He left down 5-1, and the Braves' Macay McBride, of Screven County, came unraveled in the eighth to give up five runs to send St. Louis to the runaway victory that evened the teams' season series at 2-2.

Not that Mark Mulder needed much help Friday.

Mulder, the Cards' big off-season acquisition who had been somewhat disappointing in the season's early going, continued his impressive run.

He went seven innings in which he allowed a run, pitching around little blips of danger.

The left-hander is 4-0 since July 8 with a 1.56 ERA.

He's also 12-1 at night.

With Scott Rolen, Larry Walker and Reggie Sanders all on the disabled list, injuries have sort of ripped apart the Cardinals' puzzle, but a couple of pretty big pieces are still in place.

Albert Pujols homered in the first and Jim Edmonds in the fourth to supply Mulder with all he would need to move to 13-5 on the season.

"It's still a real good lineup," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. "Just think about it when they have everybody. That's really scary."

The two-run blast was the 30th home run of the year for Pujols.

"I made the worst pitch I've ever thrown, ever," Smoltz said.

Reach Travis Haney at travishaney@morris.com.