Rocker Gets a Mixed Reception

John Rocker emerged from the San Diego Padres’ bullpen in the left-field corner and walked along the warning track to the opposing bullpen all the way in the other corner of the stadium Friday night, accompanied by a security guard in a red jacket.

It’s not the normal way a visiting reliever shows up for work in San Diego.

Then again, this wasn’t the start of a normal trip for Rocker. It was his first road appearance since his two-week suspension for his comments about gays, minorities and immigrants.

Rocker never needed to warm up as the Braves defeated the Padres, 7-2, for their 11th consecutive win. Bobby Bonilla drove in the go-ahead run with a pinch-hit triple and Brian Jordan hit a three-run homer to snap an 0-for-22 slump.

Rocker got a mixed reception before 33,995 at Qualcomm Stadium. The reliever signed several autographs before the game, many to fans wearing Braves apparel, but was greeted by hearty boos as he walked in foul territory from the dugout to the bullpen before the third inning.

Jordan, who had been one of Rocker’s main critics after the remarks were published in a magazine, thought the reliever would get booed by San Diego fans, who generally are laid back.

“I’m quite sure they will because, to be honest, a lot of Latins sit in the outfield,” the right fielder said before the game. “I know. They get on my case all game long. So I can imagine they’re going to be rebelling a little bit. It’s going to be interesting.”