SAN DIEGO — Four days after reaching agreement with a released pitcher, the Cardinals sent him to the mound Sunday against the San Diego Padres.

In place of that released pitcher they witnessed a flashback to the real John Smoltz.
Smoltz offered the Cardinals five dazzling innings in a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Afterward, manager Tony La Russa said he expected it. Closer Ryan Franklin said he expected it.
It was left to Smoltz to admit that a lightning start with a new franchise is only the first step toward something more important.
“I haven’t had many chances to feel this way, so I’m not going to get carried away,” Smoltz said after a 75-pitch performance that included three hits and nine strikeouts without a walk. “This is an awesome situation for me after a situation that didn’t work out. The fans, the reception, everybody that has been talking about what I mean as a person . . . it’s a flattering statement. I also know I have to get it done on the mound. I couldn’t ask for a better beginning. But I’m a big believer that it’s how you pitch in the end that matters.”
Smoltz struck out seven consecutive hitters, stopping three short of the major-league record. His performance offered at least equal billing to first baseman Albert Pujols’ 40th home run, which iced a game Smoltz dominated.
“He was like he’s been throughout his career,” La Russa said.
Beaten like a pinata in eight starts with the Boston Red Sox, Smoltz mystified the Padres. A side session Thursday revealed tip-offs when he worked from the stretch. On Sunday, Smoltz effectively mixed split-finger pitches with sliders, curves and a fastball.
“He throws 94 miles per hour with a good split and good bite; that’s pretty good. That’s pretty impressive,” said Pujols, who capped the Cardinals’ scoring in the fourth inning with an opposite-field home run.
“It’s amazing. To watch him go out there . . . it was exactly what I expected,” offered Chris Carpenter, among those Thursday who detected the flaw in Smoltz’s delivery. “His professionalism, what he does on the mound and how much he’s in the game ... it was fun to watch.” Smoltz’s last four starts with the Red Sox produced 35 hits in 20 innings. He was designated for assignment hours after surrendering eight earned runs and 13 baserunners in 3°innings to the New York Yankees on Aug. 6.
The Cardinals agreed to give Smoltz at least two starts as a means to “build him up” for an expected relief role, perhaps as primary set-up man for closer Ryan Franklin. However, a left groin strain suffered by Kyle Lohse during Friday’s start may have altered the staff dynamics.
Reflected Smoltz after his 213th career win: “I could have probably chosen another place with less pressure to regain my confidence, because I want to pitch next year. But I truly believe the whole time I have what it takes. Today I was able to prove that. All the pitches that were giving me trouble, I was able to throw.”
A 5-2 trip lifted the Cardinals 18 games over .500 (72-54) for the first time this season while allowing them to retain their eight-game lead in the NL Central with 36 games remaining.
The Cardinals improved to 19-6 since their last series loss. They are 7-0-1 in their last eight series and haven’t suffered consecutive losses since July 25-26.
The pitcher’s contributions didn’t stop on the mound.
Had Smoltz eased from the box on his one-out ground ball in the second inning, the Padres would have turned a double play to end the threat.
“Running things out, there are probably times when you should and times you probably shouldn’t,” Smoltz said. “Today was one of the situations where you try to turn the lineup over, and you never know.”
As a result, a decisive four-run rally sprouted from consecutive singles by second baseman Skip Schumaker and shortstop Brendan Ryan. An intentional walk of Pujols loaded the bases before the scatter-armed starter Cesar Carillo’s unintentional walk of left fielder Matt Holliday forced home the second run.
Right fielder Ryan Ludwick completed the uprising with a two-run single.
Carillo needed 64 pitches to clear the first two innings; Smoltz threw 75 pitches during his five innings.
Sunday’s win could have been a blowout over a team they have beaten in 11 of their last 12 meetings, but the Cardinals loaded the bases with none out in the first and third innings without scoring. After Pujols provided a 5-0 lead by slicing a twisting drive to right field, they failed to push a runner past second base.
“It’s a big number, but I don’t play for that. I play to help my team to win, whatever it takes,” Pujols said after reaching the milestone for the fifth time in a nine-year career. “If I can put those numbers up, great. At the end of the year, I look at those home runs and see how many put the team on top. You train to keep yourself healthy. The rewards come because of the time you put in.” The Padres managed only seven runs in the four-game series, three on one swing against Lohse.
Smoltz may have gotten six outs in Sunday’s first inning, which began with an infield single and a botched double play ball that put runners at first and second with none out. Rather than crumble, Smoltz got first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to bounce into a 4-6-3 double play before striking out left fielder Chase Headley on a split-finger pitch.