Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley was suspended for the rest of the regular season by Major League Baseball, a day after a bottle-throwing tantrum during a win over Colorado.
A contrite Bradley said Wednesday he will seek help to deal with his anger and won’t appeal the suspension.
“I apologize for my outburst,” he said. “I need to talk to somebody about anger, get treated, find a way to correct that situation.”
Bradley also was fined an undisclosed amount by baseball’s disciplinarian Bob Watson.
Bradley was thrown out of Tuesday night’s game after a fan threw a plastic bottle at him shortly after his two-out error on Mark Sweeney’s liner with the bases loaded. Bradley picked up the bottle, left his position in right field and angrily approached the stands–yelling at a fan. He then slammed the bottle into the front row.
“I deserved to be booed for reacting that way,” Bradley said.
Cox in select company
Bobby Cox became just the ninth manager in baseball history to win 2,000 games when Atlanta beat the New York Mets 6-3. Of the eight managers who previously reached 2,000, seven are in the Hall of Fame. The exception is Tony La Russa, still managing the St. Louis Cardinals. In 23 seasons, Cox is 2,000-1,530. That doesn’t include 63 postseason wins, second only to Joe Torre.
Extra innings
Dodgers closer Eric Gagne could be out a couple of days after being diagnosed with tendinitis and bursitis in his right shoulder. . . . A judge delayed until Friday a hearing on who the rightful owner of Barry Bonds’ 700th home run ball is, giving lawyers on both sides time to make their cases.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
N.Y. Mets 3 at Atlanta 6
W: Ortiz (15-9)
L: Heilman (1-3)
S: Smoltz (43)
The Braves broke a 2-2 tie in the 7th when Andruw Jones doubled in the go-ahead run and Julio Franco drove in another with a pinch-hit single. Russ Ortiz won for only the 2nd time in 10 starts.
Pittsburgh 4 at Philadelphia 8
W: Padilla (7-7)
L: Snell (0-1)
Todd Pratt hit a 3-run HR in a 5-run 2nd inning and the Phillies clinched consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 21 years. Ian Snell was shelled in his 1st ML start (11 hits, 5 walks, 8ER).
Pittsburgh 3 at Philadelphia 8
W: Myers (10-11)
L: Torres (7-7)
Chase Utley had 3 hits, 2 RBIs as Phils completed sweep. Bobby Abreu reached base in 9 of 10 plate appearances–8 straight before flying out. He had 4 hits, 4 walks, reached on error.
Milwaukee 4 at Arizona 1
W: Glover (2-1)
L: Fossum (4-15)
S: Vizcaino (1)
Geoff Jenkins homered and drove in two runs, and Luis Vizcaino worked out of a bases-loded jam with no outs in the ninth. Scott Podsednik stole 2 bases, giving him an ML-leading 69.
Florida 9 at Montreal 1
W: Pavano (18-8)
L: Kim (4-6)
Carl Pavano set Marlins’ record for wins, and Miguel Cabrera hit 32nd HR. The ’94 Expos, who were an ML-best 74-40 when players went on strike, were honored before final game in Montreal.
St. Louis 4 at Houston 6
W: Qualls (4-0)
L: Suppan (16-9)
S: Lidge (27)
Jeff Bagwell had a run-scoring single in 7th and Lance Berkman followed with RBI double. Astros’ Jeff Kent became 105th player to reach 300 homers with 2nd-inning shot off Jeff Suppan.
San Francisco 3 at San Diego 4
W: Hoffman (3-3)
L: Hermanson (6-8)
Giants rookie left-hander Noah Lowry got no decision to remain undefeated in 14 big-league starts. Padres stranded runners on 1st and 2nd in 8th, and left the bases loaded in 7th.
Colorado 4 at Los Angeles 1
W: Fuentes (2-3)
L: Brazoban (4-2)
S: Tsao (1)
Jeromy Burnitz’s RBI single with 1 out in 9th sparked 3-run rally, stalled Dodgers’ drive to 1st playoff berth in 8 years. L.A.’s magic number for NL West title is 3. Chin-hui Tsao earned 1st ML save.
