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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
ATLANTA (AP) -- For the first time since March, John Rocker
pitched a game free of pain.
|  | | John Rocker struck out the side in the ninth. |
The controversial closer bounced back from an awful outing to
strike out the side in the ninth inning, preserving the Atlanta
Braves' 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
A small abrasion on his left thumb is still bothering Rocker.
"Tonight was actually the first night it hadn't bled since
spring training," Rocker said after recording his second save
since May 18, his 12th in 13 chances this season. "So maybe I can
go ahead and get past that. I'll go two or three days without
picking a ball up, just trying to get my thumb well.
On Wednesday, the controversial reliever gave up five runs, four
walks and one hit in one-third of an inning against the Chicago
Cubs. Since then, working with pitching coach Leo Mazzone, Rocker
discovered he was overcompensating by putting too much weight on
his front side. That, in turn, forced him into an awkward hip turn.
He also treated the cut with silver nitrate to try and make the wound brittle.
"If you don't have that little extra touch, it's kind of hard to hit a corner on 3-2 with a 97-mph fastball," Rocker said.
He relieved to start the ninth and struck out James Mouton
leading off, then walked Jose Hernandez, Rocker's 31st walk in 21
innings. He then fanned Henry Blanco and Lyle Mouton, raising his
season strikeout total to 33.
He only threw one first-pitch strike, against James Mouton.
"Tonight I felt just like I did last year," said Rocker, who
saved 38 games in 1999, one shy of the club record. "That's
probably the first time I've felt like that since like late
April."
Andres Galarraga hit his 18th homer and an RBI double to back
John Burkett, who left after six innings with a 2-1 lead. But Jason
Marquis (1-0) allowed Marquis Grissom's homer leading off the
eighth.
Quilvio Veras' sacrifice fly in the eighth off David Weathers
(3-3) drove in the go-ahead run. Wally Joyner led off with a
double, Bobby Bonilla walked, pinch-runner Trenidad Hubbard
advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Henry Blanco and
scored on Veras' fly.
Burkett allowed five hits, taking a shutout into the sixth
before Charlie Hayes' RBI single.
"I feel good about the way I'm throwing the ball," said
Burkett, who has pitched at least six innings in seven of his last
eight starts. "I just got into a control problem the last few
innings."
Atlanta won consecutive games for the first time since June 9-10
against Boston. With a record of 10-12 in June, Atlanta is seeking
to avoid its first losing month since September 1996.
Rocker has been the subject of controversy since December, when
Sports Illustrated published disparaging remarks he made regarding
several minority groups and his own teammates.
He began the season by serving a 14-day suspension and returned
to the Braves on April 18. After pitching badly and confronting the
reporter who wrote the SI article, he was sent to the minors, then
recalled June 14.
Rocker declined to discuss recent comments he made in Baseball
Weekly regarding his plans to ride the subway when the Braves visit
the New York Mets for a four-game series beginning Thursday.
He became irritated when a reporter asked if the Braves or the
commissioner's office wanted him to take a low-profile approach in
New York.
"See, that's why I don't like to do interviews, because of
questions like that," Rocker said. "Next question."
Milwaukee starter Jason Bere, making his first career appearance
against Atlanta, gave up two runs and three hits in six innings and
struck out five.
Game notes
Bere has surrendered at least one homer in 10 of his last
12 starts. ... The Braves improved to 15-2 when Galarraga homers.
... Milwaukee dropped to 3-7 at Turner Field and 6-17 against
Atlanta. ... The Brewers are 11-18 against the NL East this season.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Atlanta Clubhouse
Cutting into his control? Thumb abrasion bothering Rocker
RECAPS
Detroit 7
Cleveland 6
Toronto 5
Boston 4
Chi. White Sox 4
NY Yankees 3
Tampa Bay 7
Texas 4
Anaheim 8
Minnesota 3
Oakland 10
Kansas City 6
Seattle 8
Baltimore 3
Florida 6
Chicago Cubs 1
Philadelphia 13
Montreal 6
NY Mets 12
Pittsburgh 2
San Diego 10
Cincinnati 7
Atlanta 3
Milwaukee 2
San Francisco 10
Houston 3
St. Louis 9
Los Angeles 6
Arizona 2
Colorado 0
AUDIO/VIDEO
 It has been a month of adjustments for a struggling John Rocker.
wav: 174 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Pitching coach Leo Mazzone is hoping the strong performances continues for Rocker.
wav: 95 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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