Fans avoid closed interstate to attend Braves’ stadium debut
ATLANTA >> Widespread warnings about the effect of the collapse of a section of an interstate in Atlanta convinced many fans to arrive early for the Braves’ first game at SunTrust Park.
Many also followed the advice to avoid congested interstates and take back roads.
Tim Knowles, who lives in Fairburn, an Atlanta suburb, said his drive to Friday night’s exhibition against the New York Yankees took 30 to 40 minutes.
Knowles said he drove less-traveled roads “because I knew how the interstate was going to be.”
Atlanta drivers are accustomed to horrible rush-hour drives, especially on Friday. The start of spring break for many students, including in Cobb County, the new home of the Braves, was expected to add more congestion even before the elevated section of Interstate 85 collapsed Thursday because of a raging fire underneath.
The Georgia Department of Transportation says the affected area of I-85 will be closed in both directions “for the foreseeable future” as repairs are made. ATLANTA >> Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer, Bartolo Colon got in a final tuneup before his 20th big league season and Atlanta Braves opened its new stadium with an 8-5 exhibition victory over the Yankees on Friday night.
New York’s Greg Bird picked up his eighth homer — tied with Washington’s Bryce Harper for the most in the majors this spring — with a two-run shot off the 43-year-old Colon in the third inning.
The exhibition, before a crowd of 21,392, wrapped up the spring for both teams and served as a soft opening for the new stadium, which still has some kinks to work out. The lights flickered a couple of times, the center field scoreboard went out briefly and the press elevator malfunctioned.
Mariners’ Smyly could be out 2 months
PEORIA,ARIZ.>> Seattle Mariners starter Drew Smyly will begin the season on the disabled list and could be out up to two months because of a strained elbow.
Smyly likely will miss six to eight weeks with a flex strain in his left elbow, a big blow after the Mariners’ roster seemed set for the start of the regular season. Smyly will rehab the injury and surgery is not expected, but Smyly and the club are seeking additional information about how to handle the recovery.