Burnitz Plays Long Ball

After grounding out to first base four times Wednesday night, Milwaukee outfielder Jeromy Burnitz just wanted to get the ball into the air Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.

He did more than that. Burnitz hit three home runs--including the first ever to clear the Miller Park windows--and had six runs batted in as the Brewers defeated the Cubs, 11-1, at Milwaukee.

“You always dream about hitting the ball good,” Burnitz said. “Three home runs is something I’ve never done before. It was a really good day.”

Devon White added a grand slam, Tony Fernandez had a pinch-hit run-scoring single and Allen Levrault got his first career victory. Mike DeJean pitched the final three innings for his first save.

Burnitz is the sixth player this season and the second Brewer to hit three home runs in a game. Teammate Geoff Jenkins did it on April 28 against Montreal.

The fans gave Burnitz a standing ovation after his third home run, a solo shot in the sixth inning.

“It’s definitely a thrill and it’s a great feeling when you get a curtain call,” said Burnitz.

“For guys like Sammy [Sosa], they’re like an every other day occurrence. For the rest of us, they don’t happen that often, so it is something to remember.”

With two outs in the fifth inning, Burnitz he launched a two-run shot off Julian Tavarez that hit the right-field concourse, bounced and flew through the open windows of the new retractable roof stadium.

San Diego 6, Atlanta 5--Wiki Gonzalez’s three-run home run capped a five-run sixth inning and the Padres rallied against Tom Glavine to defeat the Braves at San Diego.

The Padres took two of three from the Braves.

Colorado 8, New York 2--Neifi Perez, Ron Gant and Todd Helton supported Shawn Chacon with solo home runs in a four-run sixth inning at Denver, helping the rookie get his first major league victory.

Chacon (1-1) gave up one unearned run in eight innings.

San Francisco 13, Montreal 0--Kirk Rueter gave up six hits over eight innings and Jeff Kent had a two-run double in an eight-run sixth inning as the Giants routed the Expos at San Francisco.