Reds Pounce on Braves!

Atlanta,

Game 1,
Jim Maloney earned his 6th victory of the year as the Reds took the first game of a 4 game set in Atlanta.  Maloney also helped his cause with a homerun with a runner on base off Pat Jarvis.  Heavy hitter Lee May also added a homerun-his 9th of the year. Johnny Bench collected 3 hits including two RBI for the day. Reds 5...Braves 2.
                                   

Game 2,
Felipe Alou and Hammrin Hank hit homeruns but it was not enough as Pete Rose went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored
. Johnny Bench added his 8th dinger of the year.  Ted Abernathy pitched a scoreless inning in relief of starter Tony Cloninger. Abernathy earned the win to improve his record at 5-0.  The loser was Ken Johnson, who was tagged for six runs through 6 and 2/3 innings pitched. Reds 6....Braves 5.


Game 3,
Ron Reed was on his game with an 8 inning- 2 hit performance to improve to 7-4.  Fred Whitfield hit a two-run homerun to aid the Braves in the win.  Marty Martinez and Felipe Alou added 3 safeties a piece as Atlanta banged out 15 hits. Braves 6....Reds 3.


                                                             Game 4,
The finale was a test in endurance! Both teams had not plated a run through 15 innings. 5 hours and 22 minutes later we had a winner.  In the top half of the 16th frame, Johnny Bench lined a low laser over the right field fence off reliever Claude Raymond to break the tie.  Bill Kelso (2-1)  pitched two innings of relief for Cincinnati to earn the victory while Raymond (3-2) got the loss.  Reds 3...Braves 0 (16 innings)