Tough day at the Ted for Smoltz, Braves

Atlanta Braves

Tough day at the Ted for Smoltz, Braves

First, Braves pitcher John Smoltz announced that he will be undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, The, the Marlins rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to beat the Braves, Wednesday at Turner Field.

Will this be the last time we see John Smoltz on the mound at Turner Field? Smoltz pitched one inning of relief against Florida on Monday.

Two days later, Smoltz announced his decision to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery at an afternoon news conference, before the Braves' game with the Marlins, Wednesday at Turner Field.

Braves manager Bobby Cox called Smoltz the best competitor in the world.

"It's a sad day for us in a lot of ways," general manager Frank Wren (right) said Wednesday, "because we don't know the outcome of the surgery."

Charlie Paulk donned a Smoltz jersey and friend Bobby Hornsby wore his Glavine jersey to Wednesday's game.

Fans all over Turner Field were saddened by the Smoltz news. "I'm very sad," said Matt Turnlinton of Fayetteville, N.C. "Growing up I've always watched him. He's too good to lose."

Tom Glavine, who allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, said he wasn't ruling out a Smoltz comeback. "He has demonstrated time and again the ability to come back from an injury or adjust the way he pitches or adjust his role. He's a great athlete. He's got a great work ethic in terms of what he expects out of himself," said Glavine. "It's that desire to keep pushing and keep going that's proven he can come back."

Chipper Jones, who took Wednesday's game off, called losing Smoltz for the season "devastating."

The Braves tried to brighten the mood at Turner Field by building an early on an RBI-single by Jeff Francoeur.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez left early, after being ejected by first base umpire Adrian Johnson.

It was a rough day for Braves' reliever Manny Acosta, who surrended a tying two-run home run to Florida's Mike Rabelo (back) in the ninth inning. Things would get worse for Acosta.

Florida's Hanley Ramirez trotted home after blasting a game-winning two-run home run off Acosta.

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Will this be the last time we see John Smoltz on the mound at Turner Field? Smoltz pitched one inning of relief against Florida on Monday.

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