Dodgers sweep all 4 against the Braves

Game 1 saw a matchup between Phil Niekro and Don Sutton with all of the scoring coming in the first 3 innings. Hank Aaron had both of the Braves RBI's with a 2 out single in the first to bring home Evans and then with a solo homerun in the third. But the Dodgers were one run better as Bill Russell brought in a run in the 2nd with a groundout to short scoring Garvey, and then in the third the Dodgers put up two more as both Steve Garvey and Ron Cey hit RBI singles.

Sutton got the win, Niekro got the loss, and Jim Brewer got his first save of the season.

Game 2 was a pitching matchup between Morton and Messersmith. Morton went 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 10 hits, but the Dodgers and Andy Messersmith held the Braves to just 3 hits in the game, and no runs. Steve Yeager and Bill Russell both had RBIs in the second inning and then in the 6th Russell picked up his second RBI of the game. Messersmith went 7.2 innings for the win and Rhoden came on for his first save of the season.

Game 3 saw the teams move to Atlanta and a pitching matchup between Rau for the Dodgers and Reed for the Braves. Once again it was the early runs that determined the game as the Dodgers took a 4-0 lead after 3 innings with one run in the second as Rau helped his own cause with an RBI single and then in the third inning Ron Cey brought home a run with a single and Dusty Baker hit a two run homerun. In the 5th the Dodgers added an insurance run as Reggie Smith hit a solo homerun. The Braves finally broke through in the 6th inning as Burroughs doubled in a run and scored two more runs in the 7th as both Aaron and Baker hit RBI singles. However the Dodgers were able to hold the Braves scoreless the rest of the game and walked away with their third straight victory over Atlanta, 5-3. Rau got the win, Reed took the loss, and Brewer got his second save of the season.

Game 4 was a matchup between Claude Osteen for the Dodgers and Dick Ruthven. Once again the Dodgers struck early as they took a 2-0 lead after only two batters as Willie Davis brought Lopes home with a 332 foot homerun down the right field line. The Dodgers scored again in the 5th as Claude Osteen missed a sign and stole second base and then came around to score as Davis got his third RBI of the game. The Braves finally broke through in the 6th, scored one run on an Evans homerun. But it was not enough as the Braves were held scoreless the rest of the game. Osteen got his second win of the season, Brewer picked up his 3rd save and Ruthven fell to 1-1.

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Keith MacDonald
Check out my website and blog at www.kamacdonaldphoto.com