Stros - Braves Split Wild Series in HotLanta

GAME ONE – In a battle of aces, Larry Dierker (6-7) went the distance for the Astros and Phil Niekro (9-4) struggled mightily to control his knuckler (9 walks). Houston won the DH opener 10-4 with Sandy Valdespino (5 hits) and Doug Rader (4 RBI) the hitting stars.

GAME TWO – The ‘Stros explode for 6 runs in T9 and sweep the Monday DH in Atlanta. Denis Menke doubled and homered with his 3 hits and drove in 3 runs. Marty Martinez also had 3 safeties. Fred Gladding (6-1) notched the win in relief.

GAME THREE – Cecil Upshaw (2-4) hit for himself in B10 and singled in Bob Aspromonte to give the Braves a 4-3 win. Tony Gonzalez, Rico Carty and Bob Didier all had 3 hits as Atlanta squandered numerous opportunities earlier in the game.

GAME FOUR – Henry Aaron (18) sent the die-hard fans home happy with a 2-run walk-off HR in B14th on a wild, steamy not in HotLanta. The Braves won 8-6, but not before the two clubs combined for 29 hits (Atl. 15) and 27 runners LOB (Hou. 17). Milt Pappas (5-6) faced 1 batter, got him to hit into a DP, and earned the win. Felipe Alou had 4 hits for the home club. Martinez equaled that mark for the visitors.