ATLANTA — Billy Wagner’s career may be over.
Wagner, fifth all time with 421 saves, was removed from the Braves’ NL division series roster before Game 3 on Sunday against the Giants because of a left oblique injury.
The Braves also announced that Derek Lowe will start in Game 4 against the Giants.
Wagner, who is retiring after the season, was hurt in the 10th inning of Friday night’s 5-4 win over the Giants.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said Wagner tried to throw “and he can’t go at all.”
The Braves replaced the 38-year-old Wagner with another veteran, right- hander Takashi Saito.
By replacing Wagner, the Braves will be without the left-hander for the remainder of the division series and, if they advance, the National League Championship Series.
Wagner would be eligible if the Braves play in the World Series.
Filled up.
Apparently, four years without postseason play has cured Atlanta’s apathy for postseason baseball.
After failing to sell out NL division series games in the final years of Atlanta’s streak of 14 straight division championships, no seats were unsold for Sunday’s game.
Semi-cycle.
Rays first baseman Carlos Peña accomplished an unconventional “cycle” against the Rangers.
Peña had a triple and a double in his first two at-bats Sunday. That came after he had an RBI single and a solo homer in the final two innings of Saturday night’s 6-3 win.
The Associated Press
