Author Topic: Nationals vs Braves, Game 1  (Read 23239 times)

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Offline The Chief

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Re: Nationals vs Braves, Game 1
« Reply #350: May 14, 2007, 11:26:47 PM »
I think the problem was that Smoltz stuck his hand on Kearns' chest while Kearns was still running toward home, and then pulled his hand out kind of awkwardly from behind Kearns.  He could have made the tag easily on Kearns' arm.  It was really Smoltz' fault.  I don't think he was mad at Kearns; he was just in a lot of pain, and knew he had to leave the game, (and yet another try to get closer to 300 career wins.) 
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Actually according to the blurb on braves.com, Smoltz initially thought Kearns had thrown a deliberate elbow, but after seeing replays realized that wasn't the case:

Quote
As Smoltz exited the field, he frustratingly motioned toward the Nationals dugout because he thought Kearns had extended his left arm to make contact. But via replays, the right-hander was able to see that the Nationals outfielder kept his arms close to his chest.

"In the heat of the moment, I thought he was trying to knock the ball loose," Smoltz said. "But he was just trying to get out of the way. His elbow hit my pinky and chipped my finger and I was looking at [my finger standing] straight up."