MONTREAL, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- John Smoltz notched his major league-leading 49th save and Kevin Millwood drove in two runs to gain his sixth straight victory Sunday, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Montreal Expos.
Saving all six wins on Atlanta's 12-game road trip, Smoltz retired the side in order in the ninth to move within eight of the record of 57, set in 1990 by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox.
Millwood (15-6), who has lost just once in 14 decisions since May 18, allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked four, struck out four and helped his own cause with a two-run double in the fourth inning that snapped a tie and gave the Braves a 3-1 lead.
Julio Franco had three hits and scored twice for the Braves, who reduced their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to 11.
Masato Yoshii (4-7) battled through six innings, surrendering three runs and eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The righthander has only two wins in his last eight decisions.
