Struggling Braves sweep contending Pittsburgh

[basilrathbonejr]

The struggling under achieving Atlanta Braves rose up and slew a giant, in this case the second place (now) Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Braves acquire eight players off waivers prior to the series and added outfielder Henry Mota, shortstop Bud Leiter
and infielder Phil Newman to the major league roster.

Game one;

The Braves took advantage of four errors by the Pirates to score two vital unearned runs. Atlanta starting pitcher Bob Carter (4-2 3.83 ERA 7.2IP 4H 2R/2ER 2BB/6SO). Dick Brashear got the final out on the eight and closer Skip Lennon pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his second save this season.

Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning. Oscar Hockenfeld reached on an error by second baseman Don McKain, then went from first to third on a single by Henry Mota. Hockenberry scored when Don McKain atoned for his error with a great defensive play robbing Tom Baxter of a hit. 1-0 Atlanta

Both Pittsburgh runs came in the 4th inning when Lee Marquis hit a two run homer (3rd) that gave the Buccos a 2-1 advantage.

Atlanta rallied to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of that inning. Duke Manning reached on an error by shortstop AL Marshall. Catcher Ed Stanley singled in the run.

The bottom of the 7th saw another factor in the series come to the front. Dick Morehead hit Tom Baxter with a pitch after having a number of knockdown pitches earlier in the game. Morehead came inside with the first pitch to John Bradley but left it over the plate just enough to allow Bradley to get good wood on it and drive it over the left field fence for a two run homerun and a 4-2 lead for the home team.

Bradley said after the game; ''He was going in real hard a lot during the game and he finally made a mistake that cost him. It felt really good when I hit it and I knew right off that it was out.''(chuckles).

Skip Lennon had an impressive scoreless 9th inning to claim his second save.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game two;

Game two was delayed in starting for an hour due to rain showers passing through Atlanta but a sell out crowd came out to Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to brave the weather and watch their Braves play a long time rival Pittsburgh.

Lefthander Ray Bruckbauer, (4-1) from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a decorated war veteran, started for Atlanta and went eight innings giving up two runs on seven hits walked two and struck out nine. Skip Lennon pitched the ninth inning for his third save and second of this series.

Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning on Rankin Ritter's solo homerun with two outs. A key to this inning for Atlanta was catcher Billy Nagy throwing out Marty Groth stealing just prior to the homerun.

Atlanta tied the game 1-1 the 5th inning. Duke Manning walked stole second base and scored on Eddie Bullock triple.

Pittsburgh took the lead back in the 6th inning. Bruckbauer had his lone bad inning starting with a lead off walk to Lee Marquis, who stole second on the ''thinking man's pitcher'' who normally excels at holding runners. Groth flied out to center field and Brett Taylor took a third strike before Bruckbauer allowed a run scoring single to Rankin Ritter.

2-1 Pittsburgh.

The 7th inning was good to Atlanta through out this series. Morehead allowed a one out single to Manning and a two run homer by Manning (3rd).

Pittsburgh starter Ziggy Rothel (6.1IP 4H 3R/3ER 1BB/8SO LP 0-1) departed for Jimmy Gilbert but the damage was done.

Lennon closed out the game for his second save of this series.

Final 3-2 Atlanta.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game three.

Game three was Single Young Ladies Day in the Park which brought out the female fans in droves and they were rewarded with the sight of their home team pulling off the sweep of a very good club.

Dic Brashear (1-2) picked up his first win of the season and Lennon (4th) saved the game with another perfect 9th inning.

The Bravos took a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning.

Shortstop Bud Leiter singled and stole second base and he scored on Oscar Hockenberry's single.

Pittsburgh tied the game 1-1 in the 7th.

Pinch hitter Don McKain tied the game 1-1 with a single to right field and scored on pinch hitter Lee Marquis double to left field off Lew Eschen (6.2 6h 1R/1ER0 walked seven and struck out five.

Dick Mead got the final out for Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh went ahead 2-1 in the 8th inning.

Rankin Ritter walked, stole second. Marty Groth was hit by a pitch. Buzzy See hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Pinch hitter Al Marshall singled in the go ahead run.

Closer Jonah Spencer came in and failed to get the Pirates a win to salvage one game of the series. Pinch hitter Ewell Hodkey singled to center to get the home team off to a good start. Hockenberry singled sending the runner to third base. pinch hitter Randy Crowder flied out to field. Tom Baxter tripled driving in the tying run. Bradley homered (6th) and second big homer of the series for a 3-2 Atlanta win.