Braves notebook: Neagle out of pen and into rotation

Web posted October 6, 1998

By Bill Zack
Morris News Service

ATLANTA -- Having swept the Chicago Cubs out of the postseason in three straight games, Braves manager Bobby Cox doesn't plan on making any changes to his roster.

Other than shifting Denny Neagle from the bullpen back into the rotation for the best-of-seven National League Championship Series against the San Diego Padres, which starts Wednesday night at Turner Field, Cox will keep the same group of 25 players he took into the division series.

``If something happens injury-wise, we'll make a change, but other than that will keep everything the same,'' he said.

Cox plans the same rotation he used against the Cubs for the first three games -- John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. Neagle will pitch Game 4 and he'll go regardless of whether the Braves are ahead or behind in the series.

``Denny's chomping at the bit,'' Cox said. ``He's ready to go. He's a great pitcher and I don't see any reason to change (the rotation). It gives the other guys a chance to catch their breaths.''

Neagle was 0-1 against the Padres this season, pitching five innings and allowing four earned runs in a no-decision won by Atlanta 8-5 on May 10, then worked seven innings and gave up six hits and two earned runs in a 3-1 loss Aug. 11.

``Obviously, I've had enough rest,'' said Neagle, who's been bothered by bursitis in his shoulder and hasn't pitched since a relief stint on Sept. 26. ``I don't feel I'm the type of pitcher who should be rusty after not pitching for 10 days. In this situation, the shoulder needed the rest anyway. I think I could go nine innings if I keep my pitch count down.''

Neagle was perfect in last October's NLCS against the Marlins, pitching 12 scoreless innings, including a Game 4 shutout.

WEISS FEELS BETTER:

Shortstop Walt Weiss emerged from the division series with his left quadriceps still sore, but improving.

``It's there, but it's getting better,'' he said. ``My most vulnerable night was (Sunday) because it was sore and (the weather) was cold. Fortunately, I didn't have to go from first to third or first to home. It feels good. I'm encouraged.''

A ''HAUNT'' RETURNS:

Jim Leyritz haunted the Braves back in the 1996 World Series, homering against Mark Wohlers in the eighth inning to tie Game 4, and the Yankees claimed a 8-6 victory in 10 innings.

He's back.

Leyritz helped the Padres stun the Astros in the division series, homering three times in four games, including long balls against Randy Johnson and closer Billy Wagner.

Neagle was the starter in Game 4 of the '96 Series and he remembers all too vividly the squandered 6-0 lead and how Leyritz's homer turned the series around.

``Obviously, he's been a thorn in the side around here, probably more so than anywhere else,'' Neagle said. ``Well, I take that back. I'm sure he's ringing in the ears of a lot of Houston Astros fans right now. He's been unbelievable.''

It didn't surprise Cox to see several big hits delivered by unexpected sources in the division series. While Andres Galarraga, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Weiss struggled at the plate, Michael Tucker and Ryan Klesko hit clutch home runs in Game 1 and Gerald Williams and Eddie Perez had huge hits in Game 3.

``When you get to the postseason, you look for anybody to step forward,'' Cox said. ``(Mark) Lemke was the MVP of one of these things. Everything is out the window. It might be the little guys who do it.''

Chipper Jones, who hit .200 against the Cubs, says the lineup needs production from some expected sources to beat the Padres.

``The guys who came up with the opportunity to do some severe damage against the Cubs did some,'' he said. ``We got some swings from other people like Klesko and Tucker. Hopefully those guys who didn't sting the ball in the division series will in this series.''

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE:

The weather -- rainy and dreary -- was blamed for the lack of a sellout in Game 1 of the division series last Wednesday afternoon at Turner Field. But the Braves face the same problem in the first two games against the Padres. As of Monday, there were between 6,000-7,000 tickets remaining for both games and club officials are keeping their fingers crossed they can sell out.

``I don't care when we sell them, as long as we sell them,'' general manager John Schuerholz said. ``I think we'll sell them. I think this place will be full of very energetic and spirited fans.

Chipper Jones wasn't so certain.

``I'm thinking we're going to have tickets available for the World Series, first time in history,'' he said.

Bill Zack, who covers the Braves for The Augusta Chronicle, is based in Atlanta and can be reached at bzack30143@aol.com