Reliever Wagner likes fit with Atlanta

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- This time last year, Billy Wagner was facing little leaguers in Virginia and recovering from elbow surgery.

The former All-Star closer, signed by the Braves in the offseason, retired all three batters he faced Tuesday night in Atlanta's 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies and said he felt comfortable for the first time this spring.

The left-hander was knocked around in his first appearance last week.

"I worked hard to get back," Wagner said. "I was having a blast pitching to Little Leaguers. I didn't even think about coming back until the Little League season was over. They told me I was done, so I wanted to prove that I wasn't."

Wagner vowed to return to the New York Mets and he did in August, pitching in two games before he was dealt to the Boston Red Sox. He closed out the season in Boston and went the free agent route to Atlanta.

Wagner came into the spring with a new attitude. He decided to drop the intensity a few notches.

"This year I just want to relax and have fun," said Wagner said, who has 385 saves in 15 seasons.

"Wags is looking great," Braves manager Billy Cox said. "He's off to a great start and we're excited about him."

Roy Halladay pitched three shutout innings and struck out five in his second spring appearance. He's pitched five innings this spring without allowing a run.

Jayson Werth homered off Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami in the second inning. Kawakami allowed three earned runs in thee innings for the Braves, but Philadelphia blew the game open, scoring five runs in the sixth off of Jose Ortegano.

Braves free agent pickup Troy Glaus was 3-for-3, upping his spring average to .750. He's had hits in his last eight at-bats.

Jason Heyward was 1-for-2 and scored a run for Atlanta, which plays the New York Yankees today in Tampa.