Braves' Johnson Slams Mets; Rodriguez Closes Out Rangers

Saturday's Players of the Day American League The Altanta Braves pounded their arch-rivals, the New York Mets, 11-5, on Saturday, thanks in no small part to the pinch-hit grand slam by regular second baseman Kelly Johnson. With the Braves already ahead 5-3, Johnson was called on with the bases full and two outs and promptly took reliever Jorge Sosa out of the yard with a bomb to right field. Johnson, not really a serious home run threat, hit sixteen homers last year in his first full year as a starter. He has been on the bench since March 31 due to a sore right knee. National League Francisco Rodriguez gave up his first hit of the season Friday night, but it didn't matter as the Angel's closer notched his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over Texas on Friday. Rodriguez allowed a ninth inning, two-out double to Hank Blalock, but got Frank Catalanatto to ground out to first to end the game.