Braves and Astros Battle to a split in Hotlanta!

Atlanta,
Game 1,


Both teams had trouble generating any offense as Mike Cuellar and Ron Reed were able to wiggle out of jams for most of the game.  Neither team was able to touch home plate until the 11th inning when the Houston ball club got to lefty Dick Kelley for four runs.  Norm Miller smacked a run scoring double off the right field fence to crack the tie.  Miller came around to score when Red Staub found right field with ground ball single to right. The Toy Cannon--Jimmy Wynn walked and a free pass to Dennis Menke plated another run. Tom Dukes earned his 4th win and John Buzhardt got his second save. Dick Kelley falls to 3-7. Astros 3.....Braves 0 (11 innings)

Game 2,

Phil Niekro went the distance and all he got to show for it was his 8th loss( 6-8).  The nifty knuckler had trouble locating his pet pitch. It was either feast or famine as he struck out 9 Astro batters but most of the time the slow pitch just rolled up to the plate and Houston tagged it to the tune of seven runs on thirteen hits.  John Bateman and Doug Rader each had 3 hits. Dick Simpson connected for a pinch homerun.  Dave Giusti earned the win to improve to 3-8. The save went to Danny Coombs.  Astros 7.....Braves 4.

Game 3,

Right hander Pat Jarvis threw a dominant game as he pitched a complete shut out allowing only three singles, no walks, and six punch outs.  The offense in the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Braves struck quickly off lefty starter and former Brave, Denny LeMaster.  Tommie Aaron drove in the first run with a single and then run scoring singles by Tillman and Sonny Jackson sealed the victory.  Jarvis moves to 6-7 while LeMaster sinks to a horrible 2-9. Braves 3...Astros 3.

Game 4,

It appeared that Houston was on their way to taking 3 of 4 in Atlanta but the Braves put on a little magic in the ninth inning.  Tommy Dukes was on the mound for the Astros when Joe Torre lead off the inning. The score was 6-4 in favor of Houston but Torre made it closer with his 4th homerun of the year.  Then with two outs, Deron Johnson hit a clutch homerun to tie the game and send it into extras.  The game was decided in the bottom of the tenth of a sacrifice fly to deep center field off the bat of Hank Aaron to plate Felipe Alou for the winning tally.  Jim Britton evens his record to 4-4 and Tommy Dukes falls to 4-6. Braves 7...Astros 6 (10 innings).