Lunafate
04-05-2005, 10:12 PM
It became the spring training mantra of Jack McKeon. Every time the Marlins' hitters wheezed and sputtered, which was more often than not, McKeon vowed the bats would snap to life ''when the bell rings'' and the games counted for real.
He wasn't kidding.
McKeon rang a bell presented to him by reporters and the Atlanta Braves got theirs rung by the Marlins in a 9-0 pasting Tuesday before a record regular-season home crowd of 57,405. Many had barely taken their seats when Juan Encarnacion belted a first-inning grand slam, and that was just for openers.
Carlos Delgado went 4 for 5 and drove in three runs in his first game as a Marlin.
He wasn't kidding.
McKeon rang a bell presented to him by reporters and the Atlanta Braves got theirs rung by the Marlins in a 9-0 pasting Tuesday before a record regular-season home crowd of 57,405. Many had barely taken their seats when Juan Encarnacion belted a first-inning grand slam, and that was just for openers.
Carlos Delgado went 4 for 5 and drove in three runs in his first game as a Marlin.