Braves rock the house 10-3!
Three homers and four doubles ignite Atlanta;
Pirates trail series 2-1
By I.J. Rosenberg, Atlanta Constitution, Sunday, October 13, 1991
It was only last Wednesday, on a breezy evening in Pittsburgh, that the Atlanta Braves received their first taste of post-season play in nine years. They were hammered by the Pirates in that first game, but recovered to win game 2.
Saturday, in front of a standing, screaming, chopping, cheering mob at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Braves had to answer another question: Would the frenzy of the fans fire them up, or would it only distract them from on-field matters? Silly question. "That confidence, the same one we had down the stretch, it's back," said John Smoltz, Saturday's starter. So is the Braves' domination of the Pirates.
Putting on a power demonstration in front of 50,905, their biggest crowd since the last time they were in the playoffs in 1982, the Braves crushed the Pirates 10-3 to take a 2-1 advantage in the National League Championship Series. With their first-ever playoff win here, and their seventh straight win over the Pittsburgh in Atlanta, the Braves clearly have taken command of this series. "We are the only ones that can win it here," said catcher Greg Olsen, who hit the first of three Braves home runs. "There is no reason why we can't."
Added center fielder Ron Gant, who had a homer and a double, "We knew the bats would come around, and it sure doesn't hurt coming back to this place." It was a day few who were at the stadium will forget. "there was a seemingly inexhaustible supply of tomahawks, Indian headdresses and war chants. It was the social event of the (baseball) season, with Ted turner and Jane Fonda, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and M.C. Hammer looking on.
It all starts again tonight at 8:40, with Charlie Leibrandt facing Randy Tomlin. But first, Saturday's highlights:
- Each of the first six runs was scored with two out. The Braves have outscored the Pirates 56-24 this season in Atlanta. The Braves tied a playoff record with three doubles in the first inning.
- Olsen not only hit his first home run since Aug. 10, he also had only his third career stolen base. His two-run shot gave the Braves a 4-1 lead in the first inning.
- Sid Bream came off the bench and hit his third homer against his former club.
- Smoltz , bothered by a cold, gave up a home run on his first pitch but came back to win his 13th game since the All-Star break. He also had a hit and stole a base.
It all makes one wonder whether there really is something magic about this stadium. "There's nothing more awesome than to hear all those fans chanting that way for 15 minutes straight at one point," said Olsen. "It puts chills up your spine." Pittsburgh manager Jim Leyland said the crowd had nothing to do with his club's performance. Yet he was nonetheless impressed. "I think this is exactly how it should be," he said. "The chop thing, that's great."
Said Pirates right fielder Bobby Bonilla, "When your up at the plate, you do hear that, "THUMP, thump-thump-thump. I'm going to have to talk to [Florida State football coach] Bobby Bowden. He must have sent a football player here to show them that."
The win, the Braves' 11th in 15 games against Pittsburgh this year, gives Atlanta the momentum. The Braves will face Pirates' fifth starter Randy Tomlin tonight and then likely will go against former Brave Bob Walk on Monday. Although Leibrandt has lost two of his last three starts, he has plenty of postseason experience and Tomlin has none. Still, Braves' manager Bobby Cox isn't booking his World series flights just yet. "Yes, it's great being up 2-1 but we're not worried about winning the series right now," he said.
The key to Saturday was hitting. Unlike the first two games of the series when they scratched out only two runs, they sent 20-game winner John Smiley to the bench before the third inning. they pounded out 11 hits and never curbed their attack, as the Pirates closed to within three runs late only to watch Atlanta score one in the seventh on a homer by Gant and three more in the eight on Bream's homer.
Also, despite giving up a home run to Orlando Merced on the first pitch and then a hit to the next batter, Smoltz maintained his composure. "it shocked me and I thought, 'Oh geez' after giving up that homer and hit," said Smoltz. Said Pirates center fielder Andy Van Slyke, "Orlando hits that homer and then Jay [Bell] gets a hit. Then you have Van Slyke, Bonilla and [Bobby] Bonds coming up. If we get two or three there off a guy pitching in his first playoff game, it's a different story."
The Braves pushed the lead to 6-1 in the third before the Pirates closed within three runs in the seventh and Smoltz was taken out after giving up a homer to Bell in the seventh. A laugher turned dramatic momentarily in the eight with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate. Cox went to closer Alejandro Pena, and as he did in Game 2 when the tying run was at third with one out, Pena didn't allow a run to score. When he fanned Bell for the final out of the inning, Pena ran off the mound, shaking his fist in triumph.
Still, warned one Pirate, the series is far from over. "We have been down before," said Bonds. "We seem to always be able to get right back up. If they think we're done, the have another think coming."
Pirates Hitting Recap:
Orlando Merced, 1b 1 for 5 with 1 r, 1 h, 1 rbi and 1 so
Jay Bell, ss 3 for 5 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 2 so
Andy Van Slyke, cf 1 for 3 with 2 bb
Bobby Bonilla, rf 0 for 5 with 1 so
Barry Bonds, lf 1 for 5 with 1 r
Steve Buechele, 3b 2 for 4
Mike LaValliere. c 0 for 2 with 1 bb
Don Slaught, ph-c 1 for 1
Jose Lind, 2b 1 for 4 with 1 rbi and 3 so
John Smiley, p 0 for 0
Cecil Espy, ph 0 for 1 with 1 so
Bill Landrum, p 0 for 0
Gary Varsho, ph 0 for 1 with 1 so
Putting on a power demonstration in front of 50,905, their biggest crowd since the last time they were in the playoffs in 1982, the Braves crushed the Pirates 10-3 to take a 2-1 advantage in the National League Championship Series. With their first-ever playoff win here, and their seventh straight win over the Pittsburgh in Atlanta, the Braves clearly have taken command of this series. "We are the only ones that can win it here," said catcher Greg Olsen, who hit the first of three Braves home runs. "There is no reason why we can't."
Added center fielder Ron Gant, who had a homer and a double, "We knew the bats would come around, and it sure doesn't hurt coming back to this place." It was a day few who were at the stadium will forget. "there was a seemingly inexhaustible supply of tomahawks, Indian headdresses and war chants. It was the social event of the (baseball) season, with Ted turner and Jane Fonda, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and M.C. Hammer looking on.
It all starts again tonight at 8:40, with Charlie Leibrandt facing Randy Tomlin. But first, Saturday's highlights:
- Each of the first six runs was scored with two out. The Braves have outscored the Pirates 56-24 this season in Atlanta. The Braves tied a playoff record with three doubles in the first inning.
- Olsen not only hit his first home run since Aug. 10, he also had only his third career stolen base. His two-run shot gave the Braves a 4-1 lead in the first inning.
- Sid Bream came off the bench and hit his third homer against his former club.
- Smoltz , bothered by a cold, gave up a home run on his first pitch but came back to win his 13th game since the All-Star break. He also had a hit and stole a base.
It all makes one wonder whether there really is something magic about this stadium. "There's nothing more awesome than to hear all those fans chanting that way for 15 minutes straight at one point," said Olsen. "It puts chills up your spine." Pittsburgh manager Jim Leyland said the crowd had nothing to do with his club's performance. Yet he was nonetheless impressed. "I think this is exactly how it should be," he said. "The chop thing, that's great."
Said Pirates right fielder Bobby Bonilla, "When your up at the plate, you do hear that, "THUMP, thump-thump-thump. I'm going to have to talk to [Florida State football coach] Bobby Bowden. He must have sent a football player here to show them that."
The win, the Braves' 11th in 15 games against Pittsburgh this year, gives Atlanta the momentum. The Braves will face Pirates' fifth starter Randy Tomlin tonight and then likely will go against former Brave Bob Walk on Monday. Although Leibrandt has lost two of his last three starts, he has plenty of postseason experience and Tomlin has none. Still, Braves' manager Bobby Cox isn't booking his World series flights just yet. "Yes, it's great being up 2-1 but we're not worried about winning the series right now," he said.
The key to Saturday was hitting. Unlike the first two games of the series when they scratched out only two runs, they sent 20-game winner John Smiley to the bench before the third inning. they pounded out 11 hits and never curbed their attack, as the Pirates closed to within three runs late only to watch Atlanta score one in the seventh on a homer by Gant and three more in the eight on Bream's homer.
Also, despite giving up a home run to Orlando Merced on the first pitch and then a hit to the next batter, Smoltz maintained his composure. "it shocked me and I thought, 'Oh geez' after giving up that homer and hit," said Smoltz. Said Pirates center fielder Andy Van Slyke, "Orlando hits that homer and then Jay [Bell] gets a hit. Then you have Van Slyke, Bonilla and [Bobby] Bonds coming up. If we get two or three there off a guy pitching in his first playoff game, it's a different story."
The Braves pushed the lead to 6-1 in the third before the Pirates closed within three runs in the seventh and Smoltz was taken out after giving up a homer to Bell in the seventh. A laugher turned dramatic momentarily in the eight with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate. Cox went to closer Alejandro Pena, and as he did in Game 2 when the tying run was at third with one out, Pena didn't allow a run to score. When he fanned Bell for the final out of the inning, Pena ran off the mound, shaking his fist in triumph.
Still, warned one Pirate, the series is far from over. "We have been down before," said Bonds. "We seem to always be able to get right back up. If they think we're done, the have another think coming."
Pirates Hitting Recap:
Orlando Merced, 1b 1 for 5 with 1 r, 1 h, 1 rbi and 1 so
Jay Bell, ss 3 for 5 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 2 so
Andy Van Slyke, cf 1 for 3 with 2 bb
Bobby Bonilla, rf 0 for 5 with 1 so
Barry Bonds, lf 1 for 5 with 1 r
Steve Buechele, 3b 2 for 4
Mike LaValliere. c 0 for 2 with 1 bb
Don Slaught, ph-c 1 for 1
Jose Lind, 2b 1 for 4 with 1 rbi and 3 so
John Smiley, p 0 for 0
Cecil Espy, ph 0 for 1 with 1 so
Bill Landrum, p 0 for 0
Gary Varsho, ph 0 for 1 with 1 so
Bob Patterson, p 0 for 0
Curt Wilkerson, ph 0 for 1
Bob Kipper, p 0 for 0
Lloyd McClendon. ph-1b 0 for 0 with 1 bb
2B: J Bell (1, off J Smoltz); S Buechele (2, off J Smoltz)
HR: O Merced (1, off J Smoltz, 1st inn, 0 on, o outs to deep CF); J Bell, (1, off J Smoltz, 7th inn, 0 on, 1 out to deep LF)
RBI: O Merced (1); J Lind (2); J Bell )1)
Team LOB: 11
With RISP: 1 for 12
Fielding
E: J Bell (1); O Merced (1)
Curt Wilkerson, ph 0 for 1
Bob Kipper, p 0 for 0
Lloyd McClendon. ph-1b 0 for 0 with 1 bb
2B: J Bell (1, off J Smoltz); S Buechele (2, off J Smoltz)
HR: O Merced (1, off J Smoltz, 1st inn, 0 on, o outs to deep CF); J Bell, (1, off J Smoltz, 7th inn, 0 on, 1 out to deep LF)
RBI: O Merced (1); J Lind (2); J Bell )1)
Team LOB: 11
With RISP: 1 for 12
Fielding
E: J Bell (1); O Merced (1)
Baserunning
SB: B Bonds (3, 2nd base off J Smoltz/G Olsen)
Pirates Pitching Recap
John Smiley, L (0-1) 2 ip, 5 h, 5 r, 4 er, 0 bb, 2 so, 1 hr
Bill Landrum 1 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 2 bb, 2 so, 26 p with 14 s
Bob Patterson 2 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 3 so, 24 p with 17 s
Bob Kipper 2 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 0 bb, 1 so, 1 hr, 40 p with 25 s
Rosario Rodriguez 1 ip, 1 h, 3 r, 3 er, 2 bb, 1 so, 1 hr, 22 p with 13 s
HBP: J Smiley (1; L Smith)
IBB: B Landrum (1; M Lemke)
Pickoffs: J Smiley (1; L Smith, 2nd base); B Kipper ( 1; J Smoltz, 2nd base)
Atlanta Hitting Recap
Lonnie Smith, lf 0 for 3 with 1 r and 2 so
Keith Mitchell, lf 0 for 1
Terry Pendleton, 3b 2 for 5 with 1 rbi
Ron Gant, cf 2 for 5 with 2 r, 1 rbi and 2 so
David Justice, rf 1 for 3 with 1 r, 1 rbi, 1 bb, and 1 so
Brian Hunter, 1b 1 for 4 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 1 so
Alejandro Pena, p 0 for 0
Greg Olsen, c 2 for 3 with 3 r, 2 rbi and 1 bb
Mark Lemke, 2b 0 for 2 with 1 r and 2 bb
Rafael Belliard, ss 1 for 3 with 1 rbi and 1 so
John Smoltz, p 1 for 3 with 2 so
Mike Stanton, p o for 0
Mark Wohlers, p 0 for 0
Sid Bream, 1b 1 for 1 with 1 r and 3 rbi
2B: R Gant (1, off J Smiley); D Justice (1, off J Smiley); B Hunter (1, off J Smiley); T Pendleton (1, off J Smiley)
HR: G Olsen (1, off J Smiley, 1st inn, 1 on, 2 outs to Deep LCF); R Gant (1, off B Kipper, 7th inn, 0 on, 1 out to Deep LF Line); S Bream (1, off R Rodriguez, 8th inn, 2 on, 1 out to Deep RF);
SH: R Belliard (1, off R Rodriguez)
IBB: M Lemke (1, by B Landrum)
HBP: L Smith (1, by J Smiley)
RBI: S Bream 3 (3); G Olsen 2 (2); R Belliard (1); B Hunter (1): T Pendleton (1); D Justice (2); R Gant (1)
2-out RBI: G Olsen 2; R Belliard; B Hunter (1); T Pendleton (1); D Justice (2); R Gant (1)
Team LOB: 5
With RISP: 6 for 8
Baserunning
SB: G Olsen (1, 2nd base off B Landrum/M LaValliere); J Smoltz (1, 2nd base off B Kipper/M LaValliere)
CS: L Smith (1, 2nd base by J Smiley POCS); D Justice (1, 2nd base by B Landrum/ M LaValliere)
Pickoffs: J Smoltz (2nd base by Kipper)
Braves Pitching Recap
John Smoltz, W (1-0) 6.1 ip, 8 h, 3 r, 3 er, 2 bb, 7 so and 2 hr with
Mike Stanton, H (1) 0.2 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 15 p with 8 s
Mark Wohlers 0.1 ip, 1 h, 1 bb, 1 so, 10 p with 6 s
Alejandro Pena, S (2) 1.2 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 1 so, 20 p with 10 s
WP: Mike Stanton (1)
Time of Game: 3:21
Attendance: 50,905
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