Atlanta Braves 4, Montreal Expos 3

This is the biggest win that the Braves have had in a while. Johnny Estrada hit a 1st inning 3 run homer and Marcus Giles added a solo shot as John Thomson pitched 6 solid innings. The Braves held on to win.

Estrada's homer countered a single 1st inning run by Montreal to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. The Expos got a single run in the 5th, but the Braves countered with a solo shot to take a 4-2 lead. The Expos got within a run in the 8th inning as Chris Reitsma's struggles continued, but John Smoltz was able to close it down.

Thomson (11-8) went 6 innings allowing 2 runs (one earned) on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Antonio Alfonseca kept up his good work lately with a scoreless 7th inning. Reitsma allowed 2 bloop hits in the 8th inning; when you're struggling, these things happen. He wasn't able to get an out, but Smoltz pitched the final 2 innings allowing only the inherited runner at 3rd base with no one out to score. Smoltz wasn't as sharp as he is sometimes, but it was good enough for his 37th save. He has finished 53 games and only needs to finish 4 more to vest his option for next year.

Hitting Stars: Johnny Estrada was 1 for 3 with the big 3 run homer, his 9th of the season. Marcus Giles was only 1 for 4, but his homer was the difference in the game.

Game notes: Rafael Furcal arrived at the ballpark only about an hour and a half before gametime after spending most of the day in jail. He did not play, but he is expected to be in the lineup Saturday night.