Mets/Braves renew rivalry and come away w/a split

Braves and Mets split an exciting four game series. All one run games.

Game 1  Mets 4 Braves 3

Tom Seaver took a shutout into the 8^th with the Mets leading 4-0 but began to tire as the Braves came back with 3 runs before Ron Taylor shut the door for the save. Donn Clendenon and Cleon Jones homered for the Mets. Craig McMurtry took the loss.

Game 2    Braves 4 Mets 3 10 innings

Atlanta reverses the score, winning it in the 10^th on a bases loaded single by Bruce Benedict. Braves led 3-1 after 3 against Jerry Koosman. Mets came back with 1 in the 5^th and 1 in the 7^th to tie it as Ken Boswell drove in both runs. Mets manager Raylesberg had a brain cramp in the 10^th, forgetting to warm up a pitcher after pinch hitting for the pitcher. Nolan Ryan came in for the 10^th, without warming up, and quickly loaded the bases before giving up the game winning hit to Benedict.

Game 3  Braves 4 Mets 3

Do we see a pattern here? Third 4-3 game in a row and the Braves take the series lead. Mets took 3-1 lead in the third on a 3 run HR by Boswell. Braves tied it in the 7^th on a 2 run HR by Chris Chambliss. In the 9^th, Rafael Ramirez singled to drive in what proved to be the winning run, beating Ron Taylor. Phil Niekro went 8 innings to get the win. Steve Bedrosian picked up the save.

Game 4  Mets 2 Braves 1

Cleon Jones hit a walk off 2 run HR to win it for the Mets in the bottom of the 9^th. The game featured a great pichers duel between Atlanta’s Rick Camp and New York’s Jim McAndrew. Camp took a 1-0 lead and shutout into the 9^th. After retiring the leadoff hitter (Agee) Camp gave up a single to Boswell. With Joy Foy pinch running at first, and distracting Camp, Jones hit his game winning blast right down the left field line. Danny Frisella won it in relief for the Mets. Camp took the hard luck loss.

--Alan R--