Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The controversial reliever, John Rocker, entered in the sixth inning of Atlanta's 13-5 win over Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Saturday after Kerry Ligtenberg was hit in the face by a ball off the bat of Quinton McCracken.
Until then, the 28,352 fans at Universitario Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela cheered the players in the opener of a two-game exhibition series.
But Rocker, suspended for the first two weeks of the season by commissioner Bud Selig for disparaging foreigners, homosexuals and minorities in a magazine interview, immediately changed their mood when he came in, and fans booed with fervor.
Rocker, who threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning against Detroit earlier this week in his spring debut, allowed three runs and allowed five of six batters to reach.
Entering with a 10-0 lead, he walked Dave Martinez and Jose Canseco, then gave up an RBI single to Steve Cox and a run-scoring double play to John Flaherty.
Herbert Perry followed with an RBI double to left, Bubba Trammell walked, and the Braves replaced Rocker with Scott Sobkowiak.
Of the 26 pitches Rocker threw, just 10 were strikes. He did not speak with reporters before or after the game.
The ball by McCracken grazed Ligtenberg's face and left stitch marks, but the reliever, coming back from reconstructive elbow surgery, was otherwise OK, Braves spokesman Jim Schultz said.
Tampa Bay starter Juan Guzman left after two-thirds of an inning with tightness in his back and will be reexamined on Sunday by Devil Rays physician Dr Koko Eaton.
Brian Jordan put the Braves ahead with a two-run homer off Guzman, and Keith Lockhart went 3-for-6 with four RBIs.
Andruw Jones hit a solo homer in the fifth, his fifth of the spring, as Atlanta outhit the Devil Rays 17-7.
Winner Kevin Millwood allowed one hit in three scoreless innings and struck out three, and six relievers finished the seven-hitter.
Jeff Sparks, who replaced Guzman, allowed three runs and four hits in 1 1-3 innings, and Chris Reitsma was pounded for four runs - two earned - and four hits in one-third of an inning. Bobby Seay allowed three runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments