Plenty of Relief in Braves’ Bullpen

Once considered the Braves’ weak spot, the bullpen is playing like the team’s strongest component.

John Smoltz pitched well enough for his seventh consecutive victory, but the relievers dominated Friday night and Atlanta maintained its hold on the National League’s top record with a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Rookie John Rocker came on with one out in the seventh inning and threw one pitch, getting Steve Finley to hit into a double play.

Rudy Seanez struck out the side in the eighth, and Kerry Ligtenberg pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save. Atlanta’s new closer has not given up an earned run in 19 games.

“The bullpen was picture perfect,” Manager Bobby Cox said. “If you could draw it up like that all the time, you’d never lose a game.”

Cox, whose bullpen has fallen into place despite the mysterious woes of former closer Mark Wohlers, watched on television earlier in the day when San Francisco’s Robb Nen squandered a ninth-inning lead and lost to the Cubs.

“Some games were blown today by big-name relief pitchers,” Cox said, a tinge of satisfaction in his voice. “[Ligtenberg] is just plodding along and doing a fine job.”

By splitting the two-game series, the Braves pushed their lead over the Padres back to two games in a race that could be significant in October. For the first time, the team with the best record is assured of home-field advantage throughout the league playoffs.

“We match up well against each other,” Padre Manager Bruce Bochy said. “Both teams have good pitching, and we played two tight games. It was two good teams going at it.”

Smoltz (12-2) fell behind, 3-0, in the first inning but bounced back to retire 11 in a row before tiring in the seventh. The right-hander, who hasn’t lost since June 26 despite an ailing elbow, gave up eight hits and four walks but struck out eight.

Andres Galarraga spurred the Brave comeback with his 39th homer, and Atlanta went ahead for good with three runs in the fourth inning.

Greg Vaughn drove in three runs for the Padres, leaving him one shy of the second 100-RBI season of his career.