Cox Adds More Fuel to Dreifort Fire

The Dodgers were surprised by comments made by Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox after Saturday’s bench-clearing brawl.

Cox called Dodger pitcher Darren Dreifort an “idiot” and a “dope” because he hit all-star first baseman Andres Galarraga with a pitch in the second inning, which led to a wrestling match between Dreifort and Galarraga during the Braves’ 7-5 victory. Moreover, Cox said he believed that the act was intentional because Dreifort is a “spoiled” player who realized he was overmatched against the Braves.

Not surprisingly, the Dodgers disagreed.

“That’s his opinion, but he doesn’t know Darren,” Dodger Manager Glenn Hoffman said. “I know Darren, and I know what type of guy he is. He’s a competitor, but he doesn’t throw at people.

“That guy [Galarraga] is a good hitter, and Darren was just trying to pitch to him the only way you can.”

Interim General Manager Tom Lasorda said Cox should have focused on Galarraga’s conduct.

“I was stunned Bobby Cox would say that because I’ve known him for a lot of years, and he isn’t that type of guy,” Lasorda said. “The thing I don’t get is how he can say that stuff when the whole thing was premeditated by Galarraga? Galarraga said [in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution] that he was going to charge the mound [the next time he was hit].”

Dreifort wasn’t fazed by the controversy.

“I’m not worried about it,” said Dreifort, who was forced to leave the game because he suffered cuts on his throwing elbow. “It’s his opinion, it doesn’t bother me at all.”

The teams meet today for the final time this season, barring the Dodgers earning the National League wild-card berth, which isn’t likely. Cox is looking forward to the Braves facing Dreifort next season.

“It’s too bad [Dreifort left the game],” Cox said. “We were going to beat his brains out.”

*

Ismael Valdes has suffered a cut on the index finger of his throwing hand, which might delay his return from the disabled list.

The right-hander was scheduled to make 75 pitches in his rehabilitation start for the Class-A Vero Beach Dodgers on Saturday, but made only 47 because of the cut. Valdes, who had been sidelined because of strained stomach muscles, was expected to be activated Thursday. Hoffman said Valdes will be re-evaluated Tuesday.

“It’s a setback because we really wanted him to throw 75,” Hoffman said. “That’s the concern because he might need more time to get ready now, so we’ll just have to see when we get back [from the trip].”

TODAY

DODGERS’

BRIAN BOHANON

(6-8, 2.85 ERA)

vs.

BRAVES’

TOM GLAVINE

(16-5, 2.53 ERA)

Turner Field, 10 a.m. PDT

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

Update--Bohanon has a 1.96 ERA in his last seven starts, but his record is only 4-3 in that span. Glavine is 13-14 with a 3.90 ERA in 35 starts against the Dodgers. The 1991 Cy Young Award winner is among the leading candidates for this season’s award.