March 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
I've got the press box to myself at the moment, as I get a head start on my blog from the Astros camp in Kissimmee. This is a place we've come so much over the years it almost feels like home. I can look out over the field - great view here, from the press box, you're really low; it might be an old park but they've renovated it nicely - and lots of spring training memories come to mind. I remember when Greg Maddux got hit on the toe here the last start before the season started. Pitched through it somehow and I think he got on a serious roll to start the season despite it. Think I recall watching Mark Wohlers try to do his thing here, when things were wobbly. Seeing Billy Wagner ..."
March 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Rafael Soriano threw his first inning of spring on Tuesday, and for the first time in a long time, the Braves can feel some promise about their former closer. He threw 11 pitches in a scoreless inning against Houston, and eight of them were strikes. He gave up a single to Jason Smith but retired the other three batters he faced including Carlos Lee on a groundout and Hunter Pence by strikeout. The Braves beat the Astros 7-4 in the Grapefruit League game. "Not bad for the first time," said Soriano, who pitched only 14 innings last season because of elbow problems. "For being gone a long time, not doing that, to me everything did fine." Manager Bobby Cox took it further than that."