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Monday, Apr. 3 4:05pm ET
Galarraga, Andruw Jones go back-to-back | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
ATLANTA (AP) -- Andres Galarraga and the Atlanta Braves could not have come up with a better script. Galarraga, out last season because of a cancerous tumor in his back, made a triumphant return by hitting a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning Monday that led the Braves to a season-opening 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
"I'm really excited. It's like a movie," said Galarraga. "It's something really special. There are no words to say how happy I am." Galarraga's homer helped Greg Maddux improve to 6-0 on Opening Day. "It was perfect," Maddux said. "`But it's kind of corny. You say it's not going to happen and it does. It's sort of cool." Maddux, 9-2 against Colorado, allowed five hits in 7 2/3 innings, struck out six and walked two -- both intentionally. With John Rocker starting his 14-day suspension, Mike Remlinger pitched 1 1/3 innings for his fourth career save. Rocker, penalized by commissioner Bud Selig for derogatory remarks against gays, foreigners and minorities, was introduced during pregame ceremonies, when the Braves received their NL championship rings, and was cheered. Atlanta had just two hits off Astacio in the first six innings. Galarraga, then connected on a 1-0 pitch against his former team, and the 38-year-old first baseman jogged around the bases as the crowd of 42,255 stood and cheered. The cheering got louder and louder as Galarraga made his way to the dugout and continued until he reappeared and doffed his cap to the crowd, about 8,000 below capacity. "I feel really good. I feel really comfortable," Galarraga said. "I'm hoping to contribute all year." Galarraga drew his first standing ovation when the team was announced in pregame ceremonies, then drew another when he led off the second inning. He reached on that at-bat when he was hit by a pitch on the right hand on a 2-2 count. The crowd booed. Galarraga finished 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts and showed he hadn't lost any of his defensive prowess. He leaped high to catch a liner off the bat of Todd Helton in the seventh, then made a diving stop near the line of Astacio's one-hop smash with two outs in the inning after the Rockies had loaded the bases. That grab saved at least two runs. "It was a great thing," Maddux said. "First he makes the great play to save two or three runs and then he hits a home run to win the game." Maddux had his most trouble in the seventh. Jeffrey Hammonds lined a two-out grounder off the pitcher's right foot and the ball caromed into left field for a double. Neifi Perez then followed with an infield hit off Galarraga's glove and Bret Mayne was walked intentionally to load the bases, setting up Galarraga's diving stop of Astacio's ball. He went out and got the first two outs in the eighth, then signaled manager Bobby Cox that he had enough. "It was supposed to rain from the third inning on, and I was pitching like it was the last inning from that point on," Maddux said. "I just burned out. I had it. I had nothing left." Astacio allowed six hits in 7 1/3 innings, dropping to 2-12 against Atlanta. "Galarraga had a great game, both offensively and defensively. He definitely made the play of the game in the seventh," said Colorado manager Buddy Bell, who made his Rockies debut. "You've got to be happy for him. I wish the outcome had been different, but in his case, he's got to be feeling good. Unfortunately, it was at our expense.
Game notes | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Colorado Clubhouse Atlanta Clubhouse RECAPS Cleveland 4 Baltimore 1
Atlanta 2 AUDIO/VIDEO Andres Galarraga says he feels like a little kid. wav: 115 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |