Drew's torrid streak continues
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- John Smoltz looked as good as ever in his first outing since offseason elbow surgery.
J.D. Drew has been unstoppable all spring.
Smoltz needed only seven pitches to retire the side Saturday and Drew hit another home run, leading an Atlanta Braves split squad to a 6-5 victory over the New York Yankees in Kissimmee, Fla.
"It was a little nerve racking, even after 17 seasons of doing this, but I felt really good about it," Smoltz said. "I wanted to go out there and be smooth and obviously I was."
Smoltz invited his good friend Tiger Woods to watch him pitch and put on an efficient display. The All-Star closer threw six strikes in getting two groundouts and a soft fly in the sixth inning, his first appearance of the spring.
"That was perfect," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He threw just like he has been throwing in the bullpen: excellent. His delivery is so good, I'm not surprised at all."
Woods watched the game with his girlfriend, eating popcorn, and was impressed by his buddy.
"John is so competitive in everything he does, whether it's baseball, golf, pingpong or anything. He hates to lose and his preparation and thoroughness really sets him apart. After watching him on the golf course, I can see why he has had so much success in baseball," Woods said.
Not to be outdone was Drew, the star of spring training so far.
He hit a three-run shot off Jorge DePaula for his fifth homer. Atlanta's new right fielder is 8-for-11 with 14 RBIs this March.
"He's hitting the ball so hard, it's really amazing," Cox said. "Everything he hits is right on the head."
Former Braves right fielder Gary Sheffield led New York with two singles and an RBI.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press
