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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ejections across the board in San Diego


Umpire Bruce Dreckman and Padres' coach Tony Muser engaged in a heated debate in the sixth inning. Four were ejected from the game against Atlanta including Muser and both managers.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
From Wire Reports The Spokesman-Review

Padres manager Bruce Bochy and bench coach Tony Muser were ejected in the sixth inning Sunday against Atlanta, and Braves right-fielder Jeff Francoeur and manager Bobby Cox were tossed the next inning, all by home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman.

Bochy and Muser were run after Atlanta’s Chipper Jones checked his swing with one out in the sixth. On appeal, third-base umpire Ed Hickox ruled that Jones didn’t swing.

Dreckman then ripped off his mask and began walking toward the Padres’ dugout while exchanging words, apparently with Muser, who was tossed. Both Muser and Bochy came out to argue, and Bochy eventually was ejected. Bochy kept arguing and had to be restrained by first base umpire Gary Darling. He slammed his cap down near home plate before leaving the field.

Bochy jawed at Dreckman after Andruw Jones struck out to end the third inning, apparently unhappy that the ump called three straight balls during the at-bat. Padres ace Jake Peavy glared at Dreckman as he left the mound following that at-bat.

In the seventh, Francoeur struck out and said something to Dreckman on his way back to the dugout and was tossed. Cox came out to argue and was thrown out as well.

Bonds homers, fans respond

Barry Bonds hit his 721st homer, connecting off Brett Myers in the sixth inning of the San Francisco Giants’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bonds hit his 13th homer of the season on a 3-2 pitch from Myers, who became the major league-record 427th pitcher to allow a homer to the slugger.

Fans serenaded Bonds with a standing ovation and chants of “Barry! Barry!” when he took the field. Bonds, whose second-inning drive to the warning track was caught by Pat Burrell, hadn’t homered since July 7 in Los Angeles.

Jones ties extra-base record

Atlanta’s Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer to give him an extra-base hit in 14 straight games, tying the big league record set in 1927 by Pittsburgh’s Paul Waner.

Hunter on disabled list

The Minnesota Twins placed center fielder Torii Hunter on the 15-day disabled list after learning the five-time Gold Glove award winner has a stress fracture in his left foot.

Hunter was the third Twins outfielder disabled in the past four days but isn’t expected to be out more than two weeks.

Pirates may shop Casey

The Pittsburgh Pirates are not discussing a contract extension with first baseman Sean Casey, a sign they may be looking to trade their highest-paid player before the end of the month.

The Pirates dropped hints earlier this season they might like to sign Casey to a multiple-year contract that would allow him to keep playing in his hometown beyond this season. Casey was acquired from the Reds with one year left on a contract that pays him $8.5 million this season.