Rays 11, Braves 10

3/15/2008 4:14 PM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -John Smoltz is taking the same approach he's taken every spring training since 1988. So one bad inning isn't going to worry him too much.

Smoltz pitched four scoreless innings before allowing five runs in the fifth, and the Braves lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 11-10, in a split-squad game on Saturday.

Carlos Pena hit a two run homer off Smoltz to spark the Rays' rally. Three of the runs were earned, and Smoltz lasted 4 2-3 innings.

``I threw it well and feel really good,'' Smoltz said.

Braves manager Bobby Cox had no problem cutting Smoltz some slack.

``He was outstanding,'' Cox said. ``His pitches were close and he might have gotten some bad calls, but he has been great all spring. No problems.''

Cox took Smoltz out after he faced seven batters in the fifth. Until then, he was almost unhittable.

Smoltz said he is still playing around with new pitches and didn't mind coming out in the middle of an inning. He said he feels exactly how he wants to feel two weeks away from opening day.

``I haven't tried to overthrow or make any perfect pitches,'' Smoltz said. ``I did everything I had to do today, just like I did way back at the start of my career.''

Closer Rafael Soriano made his spring debut, allowing two singles in a scoreless inning. The rest of the bullpen struggled.

Taylor Yates allowed five earned runs and retired only one batter. Braves relievers also hit five Rays in a little more than four innings, including Rays catcher Shawn Riggans, who suffered a break in his left hand. He was expected to back up starter Dioner Navarro heading into the regular season. The Rays have little depth at the catcher position as the season draws closer.

Rays starter Jason Hammel pitched five shutout innings, walking two and allowing three hits. Hammel is a longshot for the No. 5 starting spot in the Rays rotation. Calvin Medlock got the win despite allowing five runs in the Braves seven-run eighth - including a grand slam by Corky Miller - that tied the score at 10.

Notes: Johnny Gomes and Evan Longoria, both involved in last week's bench-clearing brawl with the New York Yankees, traveled with the Rays to Kissimmee while the Rays split-squad team visited the Yankees in Tampa. ... Tom Glavine will start for the Braves on Sunday in Jupiter against the St. Louis Cardinals.