Despite an unusually high walk total, Bruce managed to wiggle out of trouble each inning. "We actually got kind of lucky and pitched out of some jams," Richmond acting manager Max Venable said. "That's a suprise right there. You'd think Indianapolis would be able to get some runs in. But Bruce pitched out of some jams. That's just the way the game went. You could have the same situation tomorrow, and a lot of those runners might score. So things worked out for us."
With this win, Bruce only added to his nearly flawless 1998 credentials. His
name is abuzz in the air all over Atlanta, and it seems to be only a matter
of time before he makes his first big- league start. The accolades are flying. By now,
Georgia sports fans are now well- acquainted with the Bruce Chen Story-- brilliant
kid with supportive family gets signed out of Panama, wows folks in the minors, and is me
anwhile
pursues a degree in civil engineering, prepares to become next superstar Braves
hurler. His sensible quotes, sizzling stats, and prime prospect status make
for a ballplayer that's fun to watch, fun to hear about, and fun to root for!
"You're talking about one special guy," says the cigar- chomping Paul Snyder, Braves director of scouting and player development. "Bruce knows where he's been and where he's going. We've done some instructional things with him, we've helped some, but the majority of what Bruce has, he came to us with."
So things at Richmond are pretty sweet for the young lefty. Perhaps only a few weeks away from his Atlanta Braves debut, he still has things in perspective. "I still have things to work on. It's not how early you get to the majors or how young you get there. When the time comes, I want to be ready. I don't want to be up and down. I want to stay there. Hopefully for a long time."
There doesn't seem to be much doubt that this will be the case. Get ready, Braves fans, your next great starter is about to arrive.
