calm before the storm

Paul Maholm’s reaction to Carlos Gomez’s ridiculous antics in Wednesday’s Milwaukee-Atlanta game was remarkably calm. Maholm, the veteran left-hander out of Mississippi State, gave up a first-inning homer to Gomez, who proceeded to bark at Maholm and other Braves as he made his way around the bases. Catcher Brian McCann physically prevented Gomez from crossing the plate and all hell broke loose. Gomez was tossed, along with Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman. Maholm, however, kept his cool and pitched on, going seven innings (eight hits, three runs) in what became a 4-0 loss. Maholm, who has battled some injuries, is now 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA for a team that is 93-65 and contending for the National League’s best record. Gomez’s homer was the 17th Maholm has allowed this year. He is reportedly vying with former Jackson Generals ace Freddy Garcia for the No. 4 starter job in the postseason. Not sure if Wednesday’s outing helped Maholm’s cause. As for the Gomez incident, Maholm told mlb.com: “… I’m probably going to say he’s the last guy who’s going to act like that when he hits a homer.” Not sure what that means.