Greg Maddux wasn’t at his best, but he and the Atlanta Braves were still good enough.
Maddux, winner of an unprecedented four straight Cy Young awards, allowed nine hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings as the Braves opened defense of their World Series championship with a 10-8 victory Monday over the San Francisco Giants in Atlanta.
“Obviously, I don’t want to go out there every time and give up four runs, but you play this game to win,” Maddux said. “We’re a team. If one guy doesn’t do so well, hopefully your teammates will pick you up.”
The Braves pummeled Giants pitching, hitting five home runs. But Atlanta barely held on in the ninth. Trailing 10-5, the Giants scored three times off Mark Wohlers on Mel Hall’s RBI single and Glenallen Hill’s two-run homer before Pedro Borbon got former Cub Shawon Dunston on a fly to left for a save. Dunston had hit a two-run homer in the sixth.
Ryan Klesko had a two-run homer and two-run single for Atlanta. Jeff Blauser, Fred McGriff, Mark Lemke and Jerome Walton also homered for the Braves.
