Rocker Earns a Save, Takes Jabs at Media

After picking up his first save since returning from a two-week suspension for insensitive remarks, John Rocker finally talked to the media Thursday night. But they were not kind words.

“There’s been a lot of instances over the last three or four months when the media has been completely oblivious of my privacy and my family’s privacy,� Rocker told Fox Sports Net after he earned his first save since last postseason in Atlanta’s 6-4 victory over visiting Philadelphia. “They’ve overstepped their bounds in a lot of areas. It’s time for a little payback.�

Andres Galarraga had two more home runs in his comeback from cancer as the Braves won their fourth consecutive game to improve to 9-6. Galarraga has six home runs.

Rocker, making his second appearance of the season, entered in the ninth inning to another standing ovation and a smattering of boos. He struck out two of the three batters he faced.

“The fans here in Atlanta have been terrific. I can’t ask for anything more from the fans of Atlanta,� Rocker said.

Rocker said the controversy over his comments about immigrants, gays and minorities “will end when the media decides it’s going to end it.�

Chicago 10, Montreal 6--Sammy Sosa hit a grand slam and tied his career high with six runs batted in as the Cubs ended their four-game losing streak with a victory at Montreal.

Batting cleanup for only the third time this year, Sosa hit a two-run double in the fifth inning.

With the bases loaded and two out in the sixth, he hit his fourth career slam against Miguel Batista. It was Sosa’s fifth homer of the season.

Arizona 3, Colorado 0--Randy Johnson threw his second shutout and third complete game in four starts as the Diamondbacks won at Phoenix.

Johnson (4-0) gave up four hits, struck out eight, walked three and even drove in a run with a single in the sixth inning. The Diamondbacks’ other two runs came on a passed ball by catcher Ben Petrick and a wild pitch by Brian Bohanon.

Johnson is only one out short of having a complete game in all four starts. In 35 2/3 innings this season, he has struck out 42, walked five and given up only three earned runs.

Cincinnati 11, San Francisco 1--Ken Griffey Jr. hit a pair of two-run home runs into a swirling wind, leading the Reds to a victory over the slumping Giant at Cincinnati.

Barry Larkin also hit a two-run homer and Pokey Reese matched his career high with five hits as the Reds (8-7) moved above .500 for the first time.

They’re a month ahead of last year, when they didn’t have a winning record until May 19, finishing with 96 victories.

New York 5, Milwaukee 4--Melvin Mora hit his first major league home run, connecting in the 10th inning to give the Mets a victory over the Brewers at New York and a three-game sweep.

Mike Piazza also homered to left-center field for the Mets. Derek Bell hit a leadoff homer in the seventh that started a three-run rally that tied the score, 4-4, and also doubled.

Florida 3, Pittsburgh 2--Mike Lowell’s shallow sacrifice fly to center scored Danny Bautista as the Marlins defeated the Pirates in 14 innings at Miami.

Bautista doubled off the glove of shortstop Pat Meares to lead off the 14th and took third on a sacrifice by Alex Gonzalez. Mark Kotsay was intentionally walked and Preston Wilson followed with a walk to load the bases.

Lowell then hit a short fly to center fielder Bruce Aven. Bautista tagged and barely beat the two-hop throw home.