Rocker’s Antics Stir Up Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays played inspired baseball after John Rocker tried to pick a fight with Raul Mondesi.

Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run home run and Carlos Delgado also had three runs batted in as the Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves, 12-5, Wednesday night.

The game featured an incident in the fourth inning when Mondesi had to be restrained from going after Rocker after he was hit by a pitch by Tom Glavine (6-5).

With the Braves trailing, 6-1, in the fourth inning, Glavine hit Mondesi in the knee. As Mondesi walked to first, he asked Glavine if he was struck intentionally.

Both benches and bullpens cleared, and Rocker sprinted toward Mondesi while jawing with him from a distance. Mondesi became livid and motioned toward Rocker, but teammates held both players back.

“He tried to show everybody he was tough,” Mondesi said.

“He’s not. If you want to fight, come down the line and let’s go. He’s stupid. He’s lucky.”

Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones criticized Rocker for furthering the scuffle.

“It would have been real harmless if someone, who will remain nameless from the bullpen, had minded his own business,” Jones said.

Earlier in the inning, Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox and first baseman Wes Helms were ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Rick Reed.

Helms tried to score from first on Quilvio Veras’ double to left field, but Reed ruled that catcher Alberto Castillo tagged Helms before he slid in.

Television replays showed Helms beat the tag.

Helms jumped to his feet and slammed his helmet to the turf, at which point he was ejected.

Cox was ejected after throwing his cap down during an argument with Reed.

Cox tore off his jacket and threw it down before picking up his cap and throwing it down again, earning his fifth ejection this season.

“To run a kid like that is a joke,” Cox said.

“There’s a fine for throwing equipment, but he threw our guy out. It’s ridiculous. I should have protested the game. That’s why I threw my hat.”

Homer Bush went four for five with a homer for the Blue Jays, who have won only seven of their last 23 home games.