=== Atlanta Braves Team Report - May 27 ===

(My Sportsbook) - John Smoltz has been the team's good luck charm for the last two years, but on Monday it finally came to an end.

Although Smoltz made an appearance for the Braves against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game set at Turner Field, Atlanta was handed a 7-6 loss in extra innings. The setback marked an end to 73 straight wins for the Braves when Smoltz appeared on the mound.

Rafael Furcal went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and Robert Fick notched two hits and two RBI for Atlanta, which saw its two-game winning streak come to an end. Despite the loss, the Braves still have the best record in all of baseball at 34-17 and lead the National League East by a pair of games over the Montreal Expos.

Gary Sheffield, first in the league in hitting at .354 and tied for second in RBI with 44, finished the contest 1-for-5 with walk and a strikeout.

Atlanta starter Mike Hampton, one of eight pitchers on the day for the Braves, lasted six innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out nine. Roberto Hernandez suffered the loss after he allowed four runs -- three earned -- on two hits in just 1 1/3 frames.

Taking the hill tonight for the staff will be 35-year-old Shane Reynolds. The righthander has been on a roll as of late, winning three straight decisions, including a victory over the Reds last week. The veteran gave up six hits and four runs over 6 2/3 innings, while fanning nine and walking three in the win.

Reynolds has posted a 5-8 mark with a 4.28 ERA against Cincinnati in his career. The Louisiana native has been touched 131 hits and 53 earned runs over 111 1/3 innings of action versus the Reds.

Atlanta, which is 17-9 at home thus far, has the best team batting average in the NL at .284, although at Turner it dips to .280 and during night games to .272.

Against Cincy, the Braves are hitting .275, have struck out 28 times against 14 bases-on-balls, and have just one stolen base to their credit this year.