Click to enlarge photos.
By Charles Odum
Associated Press Sports Writer
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Jeff Bennett lost so much weight after last season that Braves manager Bobby Cox didn't recognize him at the start of spring training.
Cox knows Bennett now.
Bennett pitched four scoreless innings in Atlanta's 10-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, extending to 11 his streak of scoreless innings this spring.
Bennett probably secured a roster spot as a reliever even before proving in his last two appearances he also can deliver as a fill-in starter.
Bennett gave up only one hit with two walks and three strikeouts against Washington.
Bennett has allowed only three hits and no runs in seven innings in two starts since John Smoltz was held out with stiffness in his right shoulder on Friday.
"He hasn't given up anything, hardly, and throws a lot of strikes, a lot of ground balls," Cox said. "A pretty important guy, I would say."
Smoltz is expected to open the season on the disabled list with plans to return for an April 6 start against the New York Mets.
Smoltz plans to throw off a mound today. If Smoltz experiences any setbacks, Bennett may have earned consideration to make a fill-in start.
"He could start. He could go six innings, I would say, easily right now," Cox said of Bennett.
Mark Teixeira was 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run homer and Martin Prado drove in three runs with two hits for Atlanta.
Bennett, 27, was 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts late last season.
"He's just as impressive this spring as he was last year," Cox said.
Bennett is in his second season since missing the 2006 season following Tommy John surgery. He lost about 54 pounds, from 262 to 208, last year, with much of the weight loss coming after the season.
Washington's Matt Chico gave up seven hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Chico learned after the game he has earned a roster spot. He made his third start since changing his delivery to return to the high leg kick he used in high school.
Since making the adjustment, he has walked three batters in 15 innings, compared with six walks in 8 2/3 innings earlier in the spring.
Chico said he threw too many fastballs - "maybe 80 percent" over his last three innings.
"He hit a wall there in that fourth inning, for some reason," manager Manny Acta said. "I like the way he's thrown the ball with that new motion. This was probably his worst outing of spring training. He's throwing the ball real good for us."
Chico walked Chipper Jones to open the fourth inning and then gave up a two-run home run to Teixeira, who began the day hitting only .188 with one homer.
The Braves led 5-2 before scoring five runs in the eighth off Ray King. Prado drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single. Brent Lillibridge followed with a two-run triple.
King recorded only one out while giving up four hits and five runs.
Comment on this Story
Posted Comments