Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305220214
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Short
The Dallas Green era started Friday night with a loss as the Atlanta Braves beat the Mets 4-2, New York's 19th loss in 24 games.
Green was hired as the Mets' 15th manager Wednesday night after Jeff Torborg was fired with the team in last at 13-25. Torborg didn't have any answers to his high-priced team's poor play, and Green didn't find any quick solutions in his first game as a manager since 1989 with the New York Yankees.
"I haven't been fired yet," Green joked after the game.
It didn't help the Mets that 1992 Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux (4-3 ) was sharp, pitching a six-hitter. He retired 18 consecutive batters until the ninth, when Joe Orsulak singled with one out and eventually scored on Bobby Bonilla's sacrifice fly. Maddux struck out five with no walks in his first complete game with Atlanta.
"We faced a pretty good pitcher today," Green said. "I've been watching him since he was 18 years old with the Cubs. He's a great pitcher."
The Mets came out aggressive in the first inning, scoring on Eddie Murray's RBI grounder. But the Braves came back with two runs in the third against Eric Hillman (0-2).
Mark Lemke singled and Maddux walked before Hillman's throw to third on Otis Nixon's sacrifice was too late to force the runner at third, loading the bases with no outs. Howard Johnson thought Lemke was out and was ejected when he bumped third-base umpire Jerry Layne, causing the quick-tempered Green to get into his first argument as manager of the Mets.
Jeff Blauser then singled in a run, and Maddux scored on the play when Bonilla booted the ball.
by CNB