Braves Top Amazins'

Atlanta,

Game 1,

Ron Reed went the distance to earn his 4th victory of the season. The game was knotted up at one a piece until Tito Francona came to bat in the bottom half of the 6th inning.  Young fire baller, Nolan Ryan was tossing the pill for the Mets and was doing just fine until he hung a curve to Franconca, who crushed it deep into the seats to edge the Mets. Francona's 3 run shot was all Reed needed for the win. Braves 4....Mets 1.

Game 2,

Hank Aaron hit his 10th homerun of the season to lead the Braves past the Mets.  The only offense for New York was Ed Charles. Charles collected 3 of the Mets 4 hits off Atlanta pitching. The Glider's last hit of the game came with 2 outs in the ninth inning and it landed in the seats in right to break up the shutout.  Lefty Dick Kelley(2-4) went eight innings but need relief help from Cecil Upshaw in the ninth. Upshaw earned his 5th save of the year. The loss was credited to Jerry Koosman (2-4). Braves 3....Mets 1.

Game 3,

Two of the league's best right handed hurlers fared against one another in the series finale. Tom Seaver for the Mets and Phil Niekro of Atlanta were not around for the decision as the game went 12 innings before it was decided.  Bob Tillman and Deron Johnson connected for dingers off young Seaver but the Mets rallied for four runs in the 8th inning to chase Niekro and tie the game at 5. The game remained tied until the 12th when the Mets tallied 3 runs capped by a solo blast off the bat of big Ron Swoboda.  Ron Taylor(2-1) earned the victory and the loss was given to Tony Cloninger (1-1)....Mets 8....Braves 5 (10 innings)