It’s not all gains for the Atlanta staff as long-time ace John Smoltz, the franchise leader in strikeouts, finalizes a deal with the Boston Red Sox for one year and a $5.5 million base salary.

It’s not all gains for the Atlanta staff as long-time ace John Smoltz, the franchise leader in strikeouts, finalizes a deal with the Boston Red Sox for one year and a $5.5 million base salary.

Francisco Rodriguez, surpassing John Smoltz’s effort for the 2003 Braves by ten games, becomes the quickest reliever ever to reach 40 saves. The Angels closer strikes out the side in the ninth of a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Red Sox, completing a sweep of the reigning World Series champions.

Francisco Rodriguez, surpassing John Smoltz’s effort for the 2003 Braves by ten games, becomes the quickest reliever ever to reach 40 saves. The Angels closer strikes out the side in the ninth of a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Red Sox, completing a sweep of the reigning World Series champions.

John Smoltz becomes the 16th major league pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters

John Smoltz becomes the 16th major league pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters

John Smoltz becomes the 16th major league pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters. The 40-year-old Braves hurler gets Felipe Lopez swinging on a 2-2 offering in the 3rd for his 3,000th K. He is the 6th-quickest to the mark in terms of innings pitched (3,386). Smoltz fans 10 in 7 innings in this win, showing that age has not yet caught up to him.

2007 – Ryan Howard strikes out against John Smoltz in the 3rd inning of the Phillies-Braves contest. It is his 196th strikeout of the season, breaking Adam Dunn’s 3-year-old major league record.

2007 – Ryan Howard strikes out against John Smoltz in the 3rd inning of the Phillies-Braves contest. It is his 196th strikeout of the season, breaking Adam Dunn’s 3-year-old major league record.

John Smoltz becomes the Braves’ all-time strikeout leader when Diamondbacks’ third baseman Mark Reynolds becomes the 40 year-old right hander’s 2,913th victim. Phil Niekro previously established the franchise record pitching for the club in Milwaukee and Atlanta for twenty seasons (1964 to 1983).

John Smoltz becomes the Braves’ all-time strikeout leader when Diamondbacks’ third baseman Mark Reynolds becomes the 40 year-old right hander’s 2,913th victim. Phil Niekro previously established the franchise record pitching for the club in Milwaukee and Atlanta for twenty seasons (1964 to 1983).

Rookie Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds strikes out for the 9th straight plate appearance, tying the major league record for position players. David Bush is the opposing hurler; in Reynolds’ next appearance, Bush hits him with a pitch to end the streak. Reynolds ties the mark held by Adolfo Phillips (1966), Steve Balboni (1984), Eric Davis (1987), Reggie Jackson (1987) and Bo Jackson (1988). During the streak, Reynolds became the batter who enabled John Smoltz to become the Atlanta Braves career strikeout leader.

Rookie Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds strikes out for the 9th straight plate appearance, tying the major league record for position players. David Bush is the opposing hurler; in Reynolds’ next appearance, Bush hits him with a pitch to end the streak. Reynolds ties the mark held by Adolfo Phillips (1966), Steve Balboni (1984), Eric Davis (1987), Reggie Jackson (1987) and Bo Jackson (1988). During the streak, Reynolds became the batter who enabled John Smoltz to become the Atlanta Braves career strikeout leader.

John Smoltz sets the career Atlanta Braves franchise record for strikeouts. He whiffs Mark Reynolds in the 3rd inning of a 6 – 2 win, one of 13 K’s on the day as he passes Phil Niekro’s old mark of 2,912.

John Smoltz sets the career Atlanta Braves franchise record for strikeouts. He whiffs Mark Reynolds in the 3rd inning of a 6 – 2 win, one of 13 K’s on the day as he passes Phil Niekro’s old mark of 2,912.

John Smoltz becomes the Braves’ all-time strikeout leader when Diamondbacks’ third baseman Mark Reynolds becomes the 40 year-old right hander’s 2,913th victim. Phil Niekro previously established the franchise record pitching for the club in Milwaukee and Atlanta for twenty seasons (1964 to 1983).

John Smoltz becomes the Braves’ all-time strikeout leader when Diamondbacks’ third baseman Mark Reynolds becomes the 40 year-old right hander’s 2,913th victim. Phil Niekro previously established the franchise record pitching for the club in Milwaukee and Atlanta for twenty seasons (1964 to 1983).

John Smoltz throws 7 shutout innings in a duel against Tom Glavine, his teammate from 1988 to 2002, to help the Braves top the Mets, 2 – 1. Smoltz becomes the first pitcher in major league history with 200 career victories and 150 saves. He also becomes the first 7-game winner in the 2007 NL.

John Smoltz throws 7 shutout innings in a duel against Tom Glavine, his teammate from 1988 to 2002, to help the Braves top the Mets, 2 – 1. Smoltz becomes the first pitcher in major league history with 200 career victories and 150 saves. He also becomes the first 7-game winner in the 2007 NL.

Alfonso Soriano hits three home runs and matches his career high with five RBI to lead the Washington Nationals to a 7 – 3 victory over John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.

Alfonso Soriano hits three home runs and matches his career high with five RBI to lead the Washington Nationals to a 7 – 3 victory over John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.