BASEBALL PLAYOFFS DAILY REPORT : NATIONAL LEAGUE : Glavine: No Apology for 1-4 Record

A two-time 20-game winner, Tom Glavine of Atlanta said Monday that he gets “tired of hearing about” his 1-4 postseason record. He will try to improve it tonight in Game 6 of the National League playoffs at Atlanta. A victory by Glavine’s Braves would eliminate the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are behind in games, 3-2.

“I’m definitely in position to do something about it,” Glavine said of his postseason mark. “I can silence a lot of critics, but then I don’t feel I have anything to apologize about.

“People’s expectations are so high that they expect a shutout from me every time. I lost (Friday), 3-2. If I’d won, 4-3, people would be saying I pitched a great game. Everything is predicated on wins and losses this time of the year.”

Glavine also said he doesn’t mind letting Tim Wakefield, the Pirates’ rookie knuckleballer who won Friday’s game, have the spotlight.

“You have to give him credit for what he’s accomplished,” Glavine said. “I like being in the background. He handled the pressure and attention in Game 3. We’ll see how he handles it this time.”

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Atlanta shortstop Jeff Blauser said that Friday’s result would have been different if Wakefield “hadn’t caught a couple line drives.”

He also said the Braves had better swings against Wakefield on Friday than they did when they lost to him in mid-August.

“We’ll be even better prepared this time,” he said. “We’re confident, ready mentally.”

So is the 26-year-old Pittsburgh rookie. He said it doesn’t matter how many times a team sees him if his knuckleball is working.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m not going to let it slip by,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in myself and a lot of confidence in the team. I think that shows in my composure on the mound.”