Wagner sharper in second appearance

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Now this was more like it from Braves closer Billy Wagner, who faced three batters in the fourth inning and recorded three outs, including one strikeout and a double-play grounder.

The veteran lefty allowed three hits and two runs in his spring debut Friday against Washington.

“I feel like I had better command of the strike zone, and that to me is key,” said Wagner, 38, who missed most of last season with the Mets while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Wagner, who recorded 59 of his 385 career saves during two seasons with the Phillies in 2004-2005, didn’t mind being booed by plenty of Philly fans in a crowd of 10,674 at the Braves’ spring home.

“Fans make the game,” he said. “The more you have, the better it is. Good or bad.”

Wagner also drew some boos from the Philly faithful for repeated throws to first base.  He made so many of them — four — that Braves catcher Brian McCann came out at one point to see if he had his signals right.

Wagner laughed and explained to McCann that he was just working on his pickoff throws.

“He pitched great,” manager Bobby Cox said.  “He wanted to work on his pickoff move. That’s what spring training’s all about, to work on things. Pitches, moves, things like that.

Wagner induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Brian Schneider after hitting Ben Francisco in his back foot with a slider.

He was better, but said he wasn’t where he needs to be when the season begins in four weeks.

But considering what he was doing a year ago at this time – throwing batting practice to his 11-year-old son and other hitters in the four-team Peachtree Little League in Crozet, Va. – Wagner feels blessed to be where he is now, prepping for another season with what he believes is a contending team.

A year ago, he was under the impression the Mets planned for him to miss the entire season recovering from “Tommy John” surgery. But when their trainers saw how well he was throwing in April, they decided to push up his rehab to get him back by late season so they could trade him.

After striking out four in two hitless appearances for the Mets, Wagner was traded to Boston on Aug. 25. He had a 1.98 ERA in 15 appearances for the Red Sox, with 22 strikeouts in 13-2/3 innings.

The Braves signed Wagner to a one-year, $7 million contract with a second-year option.

Scatter shots: After getting three hits Monday against Detroit, Eric Hinske had a two-run pinch-hit double to put the Braves ahead in the fourth inning….

Braves lefty prospect Jose Ortegano blew a 4-2 lead by allowing five runs and six hits in the sixth inning, leaving him with a blown save, a loss and a 45.00 ERA….

Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer off Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami, who gave up four hits and two runs in three innings. In May, Kawakami limited Toronto to three hits in eight innings of a 1-0 win against longtime Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.

On Tuesday, Halladay struck out five in three scoreless innings for the Phillies.