Spring Training '01
MLB
  Scores
  Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Offseason moves
  Message Board
  Minor Leagues
  MLB Stat Search
  MLB en espaņol

Clubhouses

SportsMall
  Shop@ESPN.com
  NikeTown
  TeamStore


Sport Sections
Monday, March 26
Tavarez at center of brawl with Giants


MESA, Ariz. – Cubs pitcher Julian Tavarez took a flying kick at San Francisco's Russ Davis after a third-inning confrontation, setting off a bench-clearing brawl Monday in Chicago's 6-3 win over the Giants.

The trouble erupted in the third inning when Tavarez struck out Davis, who swung and missed at a 2-2 pitch

Tavarez dropped to one knee and followed through on his delivery. Davis saw it as a gesture of celebration and showboating.

The two players exchanged words, and Davis charged the mound. Tavarez took a jump-kick at Davis, and the two players punched at one another. Both benches emptied, and both players were ejected.

"He thought I was a hot dog. He said something to me, and I wasn't going to take it," Tavarez said. "I don't show up anybody when I strike out somebody or anything like that."

Davis didn't make himself available to reporters.

It was the third testy incident involving Tavarez this spring.

In the Cubs' first exhibition, Tavarez threw a pitch over the head of the Giants' Barry Bonds. Bonds stayed in a crouch for several seconds, but he and Tavarez smiled at one another.

Last week, Tavarez hit Colorado's Jeff Cirillo in the arm with a pitch. Cirillo had angry words for Tavarez as he went to first base.

In Monday's game, the Giants took a 2-0 lead in the first on RBI doubles by Jeff Kent and Armando Rios.

The Cubs scored three times in the bottom half, with Sammy Sosa hitting a two-run double and Ron Coomer adding an RBI single.

Later, Bill Mueller, Eric Young and Rondell White had run-scoring singles, putting the Cubs ahead 6-2.

Tavarez (2-3) pitched three innings, giving up six hits and two runs. Giants starter Kirk Rueter (0-4) pitched one inning and gave up six hits and three runs.

Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories