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SCOREBOARD

Apr. 30 Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Atlanta	0	0	0	3	2	5	0	1	0	11	13	1
Houston	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	1

Box Score | GameCast | Play-By-Play | Photos
Hampton gives Braves solid start against old friends
W: Hampton (1-1) L: Miller (0-3)
HR: Atl- Sheffield (7) Hou- Ensberg (2)

Who wants tickets?


	That empty feeling: Like many teams, the Braves have never fully recovered from the 1994 strike.

The Braves, winners of 11 straight division championships, once drew nearly 4 million fans in a season. If their current pace keeps up, they'll barely reach 2 million. "Before the game, you look around and see what kind of crowd you've got," said outfielder Chipper Jones after the April 27 game against the Brewers, which drew only 27,313 to 50,091-seat Turner Field. "I just think ticket prices have gotten so outlandish, it's tough for a family of four to come watch their team play." The Braves aren't alone, either. Attendance is down throughout the major leagues.

Second helping of Giles


	Giles

It's still too early to declare Marcus Giles the most improved player in the major leagues -- but there's no denying his progress has been spectacular. Entering play April 29, the second baseman is batting .363 with eight doubles, four home runs, 14 RBIs and a .435 on-base percentage while playing steady defense, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "He's playing great, doing everything a manager could want," manager Bobby Cox told the newspaper. Giles is keeping it in perspective. "I just think I need to stay with the right frame of mind," he said. "If I stay where I'm at mentally, I'll be OK."

Change of heart


	Sheffield would make Sybil proud.

Right-fielder Gary Sheffield was worried that he might not fit into the Braves' plans for 2004, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "I love where I am, but I'm not comfortable," Sheffield told the newspaper. "The difference between the two is that when you're comfortable, you don't have to worry about where you're going to be next year. You don't have to worry about having the storage ready in September to move your family." After meeting with team officials, Sheffield claimed he'd been misunderstood and said playing for the Braves is the "perfect situation for me."

ESPN.COM CONTENT

April 28, 2003
Gammons: Strong-armed
It's been the Braves' calling card. But now the Expos and Phillies have the pitching to compete in the NL East.
Writers Bloc: Losing shouldn't ruin the love
Tigers fans shouldn't use the team's horrible start as an excuse to stop attending games.
April 27, 2003
Stark: On the money
The Phillies were willing to spend in the Kevin Millwood trade. On Sunday, the deal paid off big.
April 20, 2003
Stark: Useless info dept.
The Useless Information Dept. examines a rare week of implosions for three Cy Young winners.
More Atlanta Braves content

NEWS AND NOTES

RHP Greg Maddux pitched seven sharp innings Arpil 29 against the Astros to win his third straight decision. Maddux, who lost his first three starts for the first time in his career, allowed one run on five hits, improving to 22-9 lifetime against Houston. "The first couple of games, it seemed like they whacked it pretty good," he said. "Since then I've been catching some breaks.''

John Smoltz worked the ninth inning April 29 for his 10th save in as many tries and 26th in a row dating to last season. "The only selfish goals I have are to pitch in as many games as we win,'' said Smoltz. "I don't want to blow two in a row. I guess I want to keep the streak alive as long as I can."

The Braves activated Robert Fick from the DL on April 29 and sent C Johnny Estrada back to Triple-A Richmond, the Athens Banner-Herald reported. Fick, the No. 2 hitter before going on the DL with a strained shoulder, will hit in the No. 6 spot. 2B Marcus Giles will continue to hit second. "You have to have a different mentality when you're hitting sixth," Fick told the newspaper. "One spot is to drive in runs, and the other is to get on base any way you can. Hitting second, you're going to see more strikes, more pitches over the plate because you've got the big boys coming up and they don't want to walk you, that's for sure."

Chipper Jones, slowed by injuries a good portion of the season, left the April 27 game after his single in the sixth inning. Darren Bragg took his place in left field.

POWER ALLEY: WEEK 4

RANK TEAM REC. COMMENT

5 Braves 16-10 Over the Braves' recent 12-2 stretch, Marcus Giles is batting a team-high .391 (18-for-46).

Complete Power Alley | Braves Power Alley Archive

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AUDIO/VIDEO

Remain calm
AllNight: Braves closer John Smoltz isn't panicking.
RealAudio

'Stay away from the barrel'
Mike and Mike: Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone pinpoints location problems of a struggling Greg Maddux
RealAudio

Calling Dr. Leo ...
GameNight: Former Astros pitcher Shane Reynolds is ready for a fresh start in Atlanta.
RealAudio

The Dan Patrick Show
Mike Hampton looks forward to rejuvenating his career with the Braves
RealAudio

FEATURES

Hot Stove Heaters: Braves
Along with questions about their starting pitching, the Braves face plenty of uncertainty when it comes to their relievers.
Braves minor-league report
John Sickels analyzes the Braves minor-league system.

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THEY SAID IT

"He's playing perfect baseball."
– Closer John Smoltz, in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, on 2B Marcus Giles

2003 NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
TEAM	W	L	PCT	GB
Montreal	17	10	.630	-
Atlanta	17	10	.630	-
Philadelphia	16	11	.593	1.0
Florida	14	14	.500	3.5
New York	11	16	.407	6.0
Complete Standings

Braves Replica Cooperstown Classic Jersey Our Price: $149.99	Braves adidas Side Stripes Tee Our Price: $18.99
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SCOUTING REPORT (FROM STATS INC.)
Robert Fick, Baserunning & Defense Fick was surprisingly efficient in right field. He does not run well, nor does he get a particularly good jump, so his range is below average. Yet his throwing, inconsistent as a catcher, was accurate as an outfielder. The high number of assists is the result of opposing baserunners constantly ... More \| Roster \| Player Index

TOP YOUNG HITTERS
Player	Age	RC	OPS
1. Andruw Jones	26	104.8	.878
2. Rafael Furcal	25	79.6	.710
3. Marcus Giles	24	26.8	.714

2002 stats sorted by Runs Created.
Maximum age 27. Statistics Glossary

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ON THE FARM

Minor league affiliates:
Richmond Braves (AAA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Greenville Braves (AA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A):
     Stats | Official Site
Rome Braves (A):
     Stats | Official Site
Danville Braves (R):
    Official Site
Gulf Coast Braves (R)


AVG	M. Giles	.360
HR	G. Sheffield	7
RBI	A. Jones	23
RUN	G. Sheffield	27
SB	2 tied @	5
WIN	2 tied @	3
SV	J. Smoltz	10
ERA	R. Ortiz	3.62
Complete Team Statistics: Batting \| Pitching


C	J. Lopez	ROTATION
1B	R. Fick	G. Maddux
2B	M. Giles	R. Ortiz
3B	V. Castilla	H. Ramirez
SS	R. Furcal	J. Marquis
LF	C. Jones	T. Hodges
CF	A. Jones	CLOSER
RF	G. Sheffield	J. Smoltz


4/30	Paul Byrd	15 Day DL. 3/27
4/30	Robert Fick	15 Day DL. 4/20

APRIL / MAY
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
27 Mil 7-1 Box	28	29 @Hou 3-1 Box	30 @Hou 11-1 Box	1 @Hou 8:05	2 @Ari 10:05	3 @Ari 10:05
4 @Ari 4:35	5	6 Col 7:35	7 Col 7:05	8 Col 7:35	9 SF 7:35	10 SF 7:05
Complete Schedule \| Probables

POWER ALLEY: WEEK 4
RANK	TEAM	REC.	COMMENT
5	Braves	16-10	Over the Braves' recent 12-2 stretch, Marcus Giles is batting a team-high .391 (18-for-46).
Complete Power Alley \| Braves Power Alley Archive

FEATURES
Hot Stove Heaters: Braves Along with questions about their starting pitching, the Braves face plenty of uncertainty when it comes to their relievers. Braves minor-league report John Sickels analyzes the Braves minor-league system.