Heyward and McCann power Braves past Cubs
Jason Heyward started his job using a three-run homer and Yunel Escobar made a career-best five-RBI performance that permitted the Braves to cruise toward a 16-5 Opening Day win more than the Cubs at Turner Field on Monday afternoon.
With the first swing of his Main League career, Heyward drilled Carlos Zambrano’s 2-0 sinking fastball deep over the right-center-field wall. The three-run shot highlighted the six-run first inning the Braves produced right after Derek Lowe permitted the Cubs to obtain an early lead with Marlon Byrd’s two-out, three-run homer in the top half with the inning.
As Heyward created his way back towards the dugout following providing his club a 6-3 lead, he was greeted by Chipper Jones, who stretched his arms out and hugged the young outfielder, who became just the fifth player within the franchise’s history to homer in his first plate appearance.
On the solution to winning his 2nd consecutive Opening Day commence for that Braves, Lowe overcame his earlier struggles and received some more cushion throughout a two-run second inning that was capped with Brian McCann’s solo shot off Zambrano, who was charged with eight earned runs and six hits in just 1 1/3 innings.
McCann’s third career Opening Day homer capped the early scoring barrage made by the Braves, who saw four of their first six hitters tally singles against Zambrano. Right after Escobar snuck a game-tying two-run single through the middle of the infield, Heyward strolled toward the plate to a thunderous ovation and Yankee Stadium-like chants of “Ja-son Hey-ward.”
Moments later, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound correct fielder became the 11th player in Braves history to homer in his Major League debut and in the method supplied Lowe a lead that he wouldn’t squander. The veteran sinkerballer, who was charged with 5 earned runs and 5 hits in six innings, authorized the Cubs to cut the deficit to three runs with Aramis Ramirez’s two-run, third-inning homer.
But Escobar blew the game open inside the seventh inning with his three-run double off Jeff Samardzija, who had walked every with the three previous batters.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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The Jason Heyward Era begins using a BOOM
Jason Heyward wasted no time whatsoever demonstrating why he’s the finest hitting prospect in baseball. In his first key league at-bat, the 20-year-old hit a three-run bomb off Cubs’ starter Carlos Zambrano – and we certainly mean bomb. The ball landed deep within the Atlanta bullpen in right-center. You will find the video the following.
Zambrano fell behind Heyward 2-0, then threw him a sinker that didn’t sink almost enough. When Heyward made get in touch with, there was no doubt whatsoever concerning the end result. The crowd’s reaction was naturally wonderful. Which is Chipper Jones pictured above waiting to hug Heyward, seeking like your grandma greeting you in the door.
This has already been a spectacular opening day, featuring a no-hit bid from Shaun Marcum, a two-homer game from Albert Pujols, and a defensive gem with the highest quality from Mark Buehrle. But Heyward’s blast was the goosebumps moment.
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Tiger Woods Press Conference Video and Full Text
Tiger Woods held his first non-controlled press conference Monday, just before the start of this week’s Masters golf tournament at Augusta.
In his press conference, Woods discussed the turmoil which has surrounded his personal everyday living to the past 5 months and disclosed further injuries he faced in 2008.
Below, you can watch Tiger’s press conference and study the transcript of his remarks.
Transcript of Woods’ press conference (from tigerwoods.com)
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