McBride sent to Richmond after 'awesome' debut in Atlanta

ATLANTA - Macay McBride, optioned Sunday to clear a roster spot for Mike Hampton, likely will be back in Atlanta when rosters are expanded in September.

McBride had a 6.00 ERA, giving up seven hits and four earned runs in seven innings over nine games, but all four runs came in one Aug. 5 game at St. Louis.

"He's done very well," said Braves manager Bobby Cox. "He's got a great future, he really does. The kid has come a long ways for me."

McBride, who will report to Triple-A Richmond Tuesday, called his first major league experience "awesome."

"Obviously, any time you get to the big leagues, you're happy," he said. "I'm glad I came up here and did well. It's a numbers thing. Somebody's got to go and that's just the way it is."

McBride said he now has the confidence he can pitch in the major leagues.

"You realize that this game's no different than anywhere else," he said. "It's the same game."

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CHIPPER AND THE MICK: Chipper Jones, the only switch-hitter in major league history with 300 homers and a.300 career batting average, always enjoys any comparison with former Yankees star Mickey Mantle.

The latest came Sunday when Jones' 10th homer of the season was the 320th of his career - all with Cox as manager. That tied the record for most homers by a player at the start of his career with one manager, matching Mantle's first 320 homers with Casey Stengel.

"That's kind of a cool little thing to have under your belt," Jones said, adding it says more about Cox's success as manager. "I think he and I are looking forward to expanding the record," Jones said.

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COMING UP: The Braves are off Monday and then begin a three-game home series against the Dodgers Tuesday night. The Braves are 4-2 in a 12-game, 13-day homestand.

John Smoltz (12-6) is Atlanta's scheduled starter Tuesday against Derek Lowe (8-7) of Los Angeles.

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WORTH NOTING: Kyle Farnsworth was eligible to pitch Sunday, as his five-game suspension ended Saturday. But Cox said he preferred to give Farnsworth two more off days - Sunday and an off day Monday - as the reliever returns from a back strain.... John Thomson said he had no physical problems Sunday after he returned from a finger injury to pitch six innings Saturday. Thomson is scheduled to pitch again Thursday.