Teixeira's 2-run homer lifts Braves

ATLANTA --- John Smoltz is back -- and so is that pesky knot behind his shoulder.

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Associated Press

Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, then saved the game with a diving stop on a grounder down the line.

Smoltz pitched five scoreless innings, Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer, and the Atlanta Braves beat Johan Santana and the New York Mets, 3-1, on Sunday to complete a two-game sweep of the rain-shortened series.

Santana (0-1) gave up only one run in seven innings, but Teixeira's eighth-inning drive off Aaron Heilman gave Atlanta a 3-0 lead.

Smoltz (1-0) was making his first start after opening the season on the disabled list with tightness in his right shoulder. He again felt a knot in the trapezoid muscle and left the game after giving up only two hits and two walks.

"It's all right. I just didn't want to take a chance," said Smoltz, who struck out six.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said he was confident Smoltz will make his next start.

Rafael Soriano allowed Ryan Church's two-out, RBI single in the ninth before finishing for his first save. With runners on first and second, Teixeira made a diving stop of a sharp grounder by Brian Schneider to end the game.

"I was playing one step toward the line," Teixeira said. "I just didn't want a cheap ground ball to get down that line."

Santana gave up seven hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter. Yunel Escobar doubled in Mark Kotsay in the third inning for the Braves' only run off of Santana.