ATLANTA, April 3 (UPI) -- After 83 relief appearances, 24-year-old righthander Vicente Padilla made his first start a memorable one Wednesday night, allowing a run and three hits over six innings as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Atlanta Braves, 3-1.
Despite his pleas to be a starter, Padilla (1-0) served as a setup man with both Arizona and the Phillies. But after an ineffective 2001 campaign, he was converted to a starter and flourished in the role.
After a strong spring, he earned a spot in the rotation and paid dividends Wednesday night. He allowed a second-inning homer to Gary Sheffield but walked just one and struck out seven.
Jose Santiago followed Padilla with two hitless innings before Jose Mesa held Atlanta in check for his first save of the season.
Pat Burrell had two hits, including a homer, and scored twice for Philadelphia, which did not get a good effort from ace Robert Person in Monday's season opener.
Atlanta starter Kevin Millwood (0-1) pitched well, allowing three runs and eight hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.
