July 27, 1993
Atlanta Braves 10 (W: Smoltz, 9-8)
Colorado Rockies 5 (L: Reynoso, 7-6)
60-42
2nd place
8 games behind
Atlanta Braves 10 (W: Smoltz, 9-8)
Colorado Rockies 5 (L: Reynoso, 7-6)
60-42
2nd place
8 games behind
Braves 1993 Atlanta Braves Retrospective: The Last Pennant Race
- Thread starter selmaborntidefan
- Start date
July 28, 1993
Atlanta Braves 3 (W: Wohlers, 5-0; SV: McMichael, 1)
Colorado Rockies 2 (L: Reed, 5-4)
61-42
2nd place
7 games behind
Atlanta Braves 3 (W: Wohlers, 5-0; SV: McMichael, 1)
Colorado Rockies 2 (L: Reed, 5-4)
61-42
2nd place
7 games behind
July 29, 1993
Houston Astros 2 (W: Harnisch, 10-7)
Atlanta Braves 0 (L: Mercker, 2-1)
61-43
2nd place
7.5 games behind
HARNISCH QUIETS BRAVE BATS, 2-0;
JAYS WIN 4TH STRAIGHT IN LAST AT BAT;
JR'S HOMER STREAK ENDS AT 7
Well, it was bound to happen. After cranking out 84 runs in 9 games since the acquisition of Fred McGriff and compiling an 8-1 record, the Atlanta Braves went out tonight and outhit the Houston Astros, struck out fewer times than the Astros, surrendered only one hit in the last four innings (3 for the game), and left the Astrodome floor with a 2-0 loss to the Houston Astros thanks to a dazzling performance by Pete Harnisch, who won his 10th decision of the season by tossing a complete game shutout and giving up just four hits. A three batter sequence in the first inning was enough to beat the Braves when Craig Biggio walked, moved to third on a Steve Finley double, and both scored on an RBI single by Jeff Bagwell. Kent Mercker pitched well in his first start since September 28, 1991, but Harnisch pitched better. The Braves dropped 1/2 game in the standings behind the first place Giants, who were idle.
Charlie Hough pitched 7.1 strong innings and Henry Cotto's single scored the go-ahead run as the Marlins edged the Mets, 2-1. Bryan Harvey got his 30th save for Florida. Darren Daulton's bases loaded walk in the 8th scored the go-ahead run, and the Phillies added another in a 6-4 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals. David West pitched 0.2 innings for the win while Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams picked up his 28th save. Delino DeShields scored the tying run in regulation and drove home the winning run in the 11th as the Montreal Expos beat the Pitsburgh Pirates, 3-2.
Ken Griffey Jr. will now find his name in the record books alongside Dale Long and Don Mattingly as having homered in seven straight games. The 23-year-old went 2-for-4 in Seattle's 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins as he singled and doubled. Phil Leftwich allowed only one run in 7 innings in his major league debut, but it was enough to beat him when his own California Angels team failed to score until the bottom of the 9th in a 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics. One game shy of the club record for consecutive hits, Pudge Rodriguez suffered a broken bone in his face on the follow through by Kansas City's Hubie Brooks. His time out is expected to be anywhere from a few days to six weeks. Greg Gagne's 7th inning grand slam was the death blow in the Royals' 9-4 win over the Rangers. Roberto Alomar's triple with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th cleared the bases in front of him and clinched Toronto's 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. It is the fourth game in a row the Blue Jays have won in their final at bat. Rookie Aaron Sele won his fourth straight start to lift his record to 5-0 while Mo Vaughn, Billy Hatcher, and Ernest Riles homered in Boston's 7-3 win over Milwaukee.
The Braves put Pete Smith on the 15-day DL and called up Pedro Borbon, Jr.
Former Brave Jeff Parrett was placed on the 15-day DL by the Rockies.
Houston Astros 2 (W: Harnisch, 10-7)
Atlanta Braves 0 (L: Mercker, 2-1)
61-43
2nd place
7.5 games behind
HARNISCH QUIETS BRAVE BATS, 2-0;
JAYS WIN 4TH STRAIGHT IN LAST AT BAT;
JR'S HOMER STREAK ENDS AT 7
Well, it was bound to happen. After cranking out 84 runs in 9 games since the acquisition of Fred McGriff and compiling an 8-1 record, the Atlanta Braves went out tonight and outhit the Houston Astros, struck out fewer times than the Astros, surrendered only one hit in the last four innings (3 for the game), and left the Astrodome floor with a 2-0 loss to the Houston Astros thanks to a dazzling performance by Pete Harnisch, who won his 10th decision of the season by tossing a complete game shutout and giving up just four hits. A three batter sequence in the first inning was enough to beat the Braves when Craig Biggio walked, moved to third on a Steve Finley double, and both scored on an RBI single by Jeff Bagwell. Kent Mercker pitched well in his first start since September 28, 1991, but Harnisch pitched better. The Braves dropped 1/2 game in the standings behind the first place Giants, who were idle.
Charlie Hough pitched 7.1 strong innings and Henry Cotto's single scored the go-ahead run as the Marlins edged the Mets, 2-1. Bryan Harvey got his 30th save for Florida. Darren Daulton's bases loaded walk in the 8th scored the go-ahead run, and the Phillies added another in a 6-4 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals. David West pitched 0.2 innings for the win while Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams picked up his 28th save. Delino DeShields scored the tying run in regulation and drove home the winning run in the 11th as the Montreal Expos beat the Pitsburgh Pirates, 3-2.
Ken Griffey Jr. will now find his name in the record books alongside Dale Long and Don Mattingly as having homered in seven straight games. The 23-year-old went 2-for-4 in Seattle's 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins as he singled and doubled. Phil Leftwich allowed only one run in 7 innings in his major league debut, but it was enough to beat him when his own California Angels team failed to score until the bottom of the 9th in a 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics. One game shy of the club record for consecutive hits, Pudge Rodriguez suffered a broken bone in his face on the follow through by Kansas City's Hubie Brooks. His time out is expected to be anywhere from a few days to six weeks. Greg Gagne's 7th inning grand slam was the death blow in the Royals' 9-4 win over the Rangers. Roberto Alomar's triple with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th cleared the bases in front of him and clinched Toronto's 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. It is the fourth game in a row the Blue Jays have won in their final at bat. Rookie Aaron Sele won his fourth straight start to lift his record to 5-0 while Mo Vaughn, Billy Hatcher, and Ernest Riles homered in Boston's 7-3 win over Milwaukee.
The Braves put Pete Smith on the 15-day DL and called up Pedro Borbon, Jr.
Former Brave Jeff Parrett was placed on the 15-day DL by the Rockies.
July 30, 1993
Atlanta Braves 4 (W: Glavine, 13-4; SV: McMichael, 2)
Houston Astros 1 (L: Drabek, 7-12)
62-43
2nd place
7.5 games behind
BRAVES KEEP PACE WITH WIN;
RICKEY TO THE BLUE JAYS?
The Atlanta Braves got the best of the Houston Astros, 4-1, in a battle of former Cy Young winners. Tom Glavine (1991) struck out and scattered five hits while walking five in eight innings and Greg McMichael got his second save by striking out Craig Biggio at the plate as the tying run to end the game. Doug Drabek (1990) continues to struggle as a newly signed free agent, dropping to 7-12 on the year after giving up 3 earned runs and six hits in five innings. Atlanta's win keeps pace with the San Francisco Giants, in the NL West, who rode on the power of two Barry Bonds homers to rout the Rockies in Colorado, 10-4. The Giants lead the Braves by 7.5 games with 58 to play.
Two RBIs by Orlando Merced helped Bob Walk get his first win since the All-Star break in Pittsburgh's 4-2 win over the Phillies that saw closer Stan Belinda pick up his 19th save. Moises Alou and Larry Walker each had four hits in Montreal's 18-hit barrage, and Walker scored three runs as the Expos routed the expansion Marlins, 11-1. Todd Zeile homered and later drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to help the St. Louis Cardinals conclude a dour road trip with a 3-2 edging of the New York Mets. Steve Buechele homered and Frank Castillo won his third straight as the Cubs topped the Dodgers, 2-1. Archi Cianfrocco atoned for an earlier error by leading off the 9th with a homer that propelled the Padres to an 11-9 win over the Reds.
Andre Dawson homered and drove in 5 runs in Boston's 8-7 win over the Orioles, the fourth straight loss for Baltimore. David Cone tossed a five-hit shutout and George Brett homered for his 1100th extra base hit in Kansas City's 3-0 romp over the Cleveland Indians. Danny Tartabull and Mike Stanley homered in a six-run fourth inning that lifted the Yankees to an 8-4 win over the Brewers. Lance Johnson's league leading 11th triple scored Robin Ventura with what proved to be the winning run in the 10th inning as the White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 6-4. Mike Moore scattered seven hits over 7 innings while Kirk Gibson and Travis Fryman homered to help Detroit end Toronto's five-game winning streak, 8-5. Stan Javier and Chad Curtis greeted Mike Trombley with RBI singles on his first two pitches to give the California Angels a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. A three-run 7th spoiled Nolan Ryan's final start in the Oakland Coliseum tonight and Ron Darling picked up the win as the Athletics beat the Rangers, 4-1.
The hottest rumor as the trade deadline approaches is Rickey Henderson from Oakland to Toronto.
Will it happen? We'll see, but if it does, you can pencil in the Jays for a return to the World Series.
Atlanta Braves 4 (W: Glavine, 13-4; SV: McMichael, 2)
Houston Astros 1 (L: Drabek, 7-12)
62-43
2nd place
7.5 games behind
BRAVES KEEP PACE WITH WIN;
RICKEY TO THE BLUE JAYS?
The Atlanta Braves got the best of the Houston Astros, 4-1, in a battle of former Cy Young winners. Tom Glavine (1991) struck out and scattered five hits while walking five in eight innings and Greg McMichael got his second save by striking out Craig Biggio at the plate as the tying run to end the game. Doug Drabek (1990) continues to struggle as a newly signed free agent, dropping to 7-12 on the year after giving up 3 earned runs and six hits in five innings. Atlanta's win keeps pace with the San Francisco Giants, in the NL West, who rode on the power of two Barry Bonds homers to rout the Rockies in Colorado, 10-4. The Giants lead the Braves by 7.5 games with 58 to play.
Two RBIs by Orlando Merced helped Bob Walk get his first win since the All-Star break in Pittsburgh's 4-2 win over the Phillies that saw closer Stan Belinda pick up his 19th save. Moises Alou and Larry Walker each had four hits in Montreal's 18-hit barrage, and Walker scored three runs as the Expos routed the expansion Marlins, 11-1. Todd Zeile homered and later drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to help the St. Louis Cardinals conclude a dour road trip with a 3-2 edging of the New York Mets. Steve Buechele homered and Frank Castillo won his third straight as the Cubs topped the Dodgers, 2-1. Archi Cianfrocco atoned for an earlier error by leading off the 9th with a homer that propelled the Padres to an 11-9 win over the Reds.
Andre Dawson homered and drove in 5 runs in Boston's 8-7 win over the Orioles, the fourth straight loss for Baltimore. David Cone tossed a five-hit shutout and George Brett homered for his 1100th extra base hit in Kansas City's 3-0 romp over the Cleveland Indians. Danny Tartabull and Mike Stanley homered in a six-run fourth inning that lifted the Yankees to an 8-4 win over the Brewers. Lance Johnson's league leading 11th triple scored Robin Ventura with what proved to be the winning run in the 10th inning as the White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 6-4. Mike Moore scattered seven hits over 7 innings while Kirk Gibson and Travis Fryman homered to help Detroit end Toronto's five-game winning streak, 8-5. Stan Javier and Chad Curtis greeted Mike Trombley with RBI singles on his first two pitches to give the California Angels a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. A three-run 7th spoiled Nolan Ryan's final start in the Oakland Coliseum tonight and Ron Darling picked up the win as the Athletics beat the Rangers, 4-1.
The hottest rumor as the trade deadline approaches is Rickey Henderson from Oakland to Toronto.
Will it happen? We'll see, but if it does, you can pencil in the Jays for a return to the World Series.
Last edited:
July 31, 1993
Atlanta Braves 4 (W: Maddux, 12-8; SV: Stanton,27)
Houston Astros 3 (L: Kile, 11-3)
63-43
2nd place
7.5 games behind
Atlanta Braves 4 (W: Maddux, 12-8; SV: Stanton,27)
Houston Astros 3 (L: Kile, 11-3)
63-43
2nd place
7.5 games behind
August 1, 1993
Atlanta Braves 3 (W: Smoltz, 10-8; SV: McMichael, 3)
Houston Astros 2 (L: Swindell, 6-9)
64-43
1st place
7.5 games behind
Atlanta Braves 3 (W: Smoltz, 10-8; SV: McMichael, 3)
Houston Astros 2 (L: Swindell, 6-9)
64-43
1st place
7.5 games behind
Last edited:
August 2, 1993
Travel Day
64-43
1st place
7.5 games behind
NO EASIER FOR BRAVES AS PHILLY COMES TO TOWN
There are 54 games left for the Atlanta Braves, and they must somehow make up a 7.5 game deficit against the San Francisco Giants in that time frame. Atlanta has gotten more consistent since acquiring Fred McGriff, a record of 11-2 that included a 9th inning collapse for one of the two losses. Atlanta's next six games may play a large role in determining their fate, a six-game homestand against NL East leader Philadelphia and 57-50 Montreal. The first place Giants, having just completed a rousing sweep of the Colorado Rockies, square off over the next three weeks against the Padres, Reds, Astros, and expansion Marlins, where few losses (barring a collapse) appear to be lurking. It is all setting up towards a six-game showdown to end the month of August with three games at each park. And yet based on the current standings, even a sweep of all six games would not be enough to lift the Braves into first place, although it might be enough to cause the Giants to hear the footsteps that could undo them.
The Braves are on the pace to win 97 games this year. Odds are if you had told Bobby Cox prior to the season that the Braves would win 97 games, the assumption would be a third straight division flag. But the Giants have maintained a pace of 108 wins, meaning not only would the Braves not win the division, but they would also finish a whopping 11 games behind. And this after the highly touted signing of staff ace Greg Maddux in the offseason. (For the record, the Braves won 98 games last year, the best record in baseball). But in this assumption that this division title is Atlanta's to lose, what exactly is it the San Francisco Giants are doing so well?
You look at the San Francisco lineup and immediately notice two longball hitters, Barry Bonds and Matt Williams. And the Giants DO have the second most runs in the NL, behind Philadelphia. The Giants hit home runs - but the Braves and Giants BOTH have 105 home runs at this juncture, and the Braves have a MUCH better pitching staff, so that doesn't explain it. The Braves' overall staff has an ERA of 3.18, while the Giants - who are getting much more run support - have a staff ERA of 3.40. The Giants have converted 32 saves, the Braves 29. Thus far, the Giants appear to have the biggest edge over the Braves by virtue of the fact their hitters are actually getting on base - and thus in position to score runs. The teams are basically equals at fielding, too. So why are the Giants not only leading but well ahead of Atlanta at this point?
The fact this question doesn't have an easy answer is what suggests the addition of McGriff may wind up making the difference if - and it's a BIG if - the Braves can get the best of the Giants in their upcoming series'.
This is what we will miss next year when baseball goes to the wildcard. Now it is winner take all.
Next year? Who would even care at this point?
Travel Day
64-43
1st place
7.5 games behind
NO EASIER FOR BRAVES AS PHILLY COMES TO TOWN
There are 54 games left for the Atlanta Braves, and they must somehow make up a 7.5 game deficit against the San Francisco Giants in that time frame. Atlanta has gotten more consistent since acquiring Fred McGriff, a record of 11-2 that included a 9th inning collapse for one of the two losses. Atlanta's next six games may play a large role in determining their fate, a six-game homestand against NL East leader Philadelphia and 57-50 Montreal. The first place Giants, having just completed a rousing sweep of the Colorado Rockies, square off over the next three weeks against the Padres, Reds, Astros, and expansion Marlins, where few losses (barring a collapse) appear to be lurking. It is all setting up towards a six-game showdown to end the month of August with three games at each park. And yet based on the current standings, even a sweep of all six games would not be enough to lift the Braves into first place, although it might be enough to cause the Giants to hear the footsteps that could undo them.
The Braves are on the pace to win 97 games this year. Odds are if you had told Bobby Cox prior to the season that the Braves would win 97 games, the assumption would be a third straight division flag. But the Giants have maintained a pace of 108 wins, meaning not only would the Braves not win the division, but they would also finish a whopping 11 games behind. And this after the highly touted signing of staff ace Greg Maddux in the offseason. (For the record, the Braves won 98 games last year, the best record in baseball). But in this assumption that this division title is Atlanta's to lose, what exactly is it the San Francisco Giants are doing so well?
You look at the San Francisco lineup and immediately notice two longball hitters, Barry Bonds and Matt Williams. And the Giants DO have the second most runs in the NL, behind Philadelphia. The Giants hit home runs - but the Braves and Giants BOTH have 105 home runs at this juncture, and the Braves have a MUCH better pitching staff, so that doesn't explain it. The Braves' overall staff has an ERA of 3.18, while the Giants - who are getting much more run support - have a staff ERA of 3.40. The Giants have converted 32 saves, the Braves 29. Thus far, the Giants appear to have the biggest edge over the Braves by virtue of the fact their hitters are actually getting on base - and thus in position to score runs. The teams are basically equals at fielding, too. So why are the Giants not only leading but well ahead of Atlanta at this point?
The fact this question doesn't have an easy answer is what suggests the addition of McGriff may wind up making the difference if - and it's a BIG if - the Braves can get the best of the Giants in their upcoming series'.
This is what we will miss next year when baseball goes to the wildcard. Now it is winner take all.
Next year? Who would even care at this point?
Last edited:
August 3, 1993
Philadelphia Phillies 5 (W: Mulholland, 11-8; SV: Williams, 30)
Atlanta Braves 3 (L: Avery, 11-3)
64-44
1st place
8.5 games behind
Philadelphia Phillies 5 (W: Mulholland, 11-8; SV: Williams, 30)
Atlanta Braves 3 (L: Avery, 11-3)
64-44
1st place
8.5 games behind
August 4, 1993
Atlanta Braves 9 (W: Howell, 2-3: SV: McMichael, 4)
Philadelphia Phillies 8 (L: West, 3-3)
65-44
2nd place
7.5 games behind
OLSON'S HOMER RALLIES BRAVES
RYAN TEES OFF ON VENTURA
Nobody will ever confuse Atlanta Braves catcher Greg Olson for a major league slugger. The light-hitting platoon catcher had only 18 career home runs less than 48 hours ago, but he has socked two long distance bombs, one in each of the last two contests against the Phillies. Tonight's blow was the game winner as Olson strode to the plate with the Braves trailing, 8-6, and only four outs from losing and unloaded a 421-foot shot into the left field seats of Fulton County Stadium off reliever David West, capping a four-run inning and giving the Braves a 9-8 lead. New closer Greg McMichael had a bit of trouble but worked his way through the 9th scoreless, and the Braves left the field with the win. With the Giants losing in extra innings to the hapless Padres, 11-10, the Braves cut San Francisco's lead to 7.5 games in the NL West. The Braves and Phillies combined for 17 runs on 24 hits as both starters, Tom Glavine and Curt Schilling, gave up a combined 12 runs and turned the game over to their team's shaky bullpens.
The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the third when Darren Daulton doubled with two on and two out, scoring both runners. It lasted a little more than one inning, when David Justice drilled a three-run bomb that put the Braves out front, 3-2. But Philly countered in the top of the 5th when Pete Incaviglia returned the favor with a three-run shot of his own. A single by Mark Lemke, who advanced on a bunt and then scored on Mariano Duncan's error cut the Phillies' lead to 5-4, but Duncan made up for his faux pas an inning later when he greeted reliever Steve Bedrosian with a two-out two-run double that extended the lead to 7-4. An inning later, Incaviglia doubled and scored on a single by Kevin Stocker, and the Braves were staring a second straight loss in the face as they came to bat trailing, 8-4. But when Lemke singled to center to start the 7th and then scored on a Deion Sanders bloop hit after Schilling had wild pitched him to second, Schilling was yanked, giving the Braves a chance to rally against Philly's pathetic bullpen. And rally they did. Fred McGriff greeted West in the 8th with a single to left, and Justice walked. West bore down to get both Terry Pendleton and Francisco Cabrera on strikeouts but Lemke, who was 2-for-3 on the night, singled McGriff home and narrowed the deficit to 8-6. That's when Olson connected on his second homer in two nights, giving the Braves the lead and Philly the blues. Philly threatened but failed to score, and the Braves left the field with another comeback win. And then there was the sheer stupidity that occurred in Arlington.
The Texas Rangers beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-2, when they rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a five-run sixth keyed by Rafael Palmeiro's two-run bomb. But nobody will remember this, including the 32,000 fans who came to see a Wednesday night ballgame. What they saw and will remember is what happened in the third inning.
With the White Sox leading, 2-0, third baseman Robin Ventura batted with one out in the third. And yes, Juan Gonzalez had been hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the second, but nothing seemed to be out of order. Texas legend Nolan Ryan, heading for the Old Ballplayers Home after this season, hit Ventura just below the right elbow. He grimaced in pain and took two steps towards first. Then, for reasons known only to Ventura and whatever god he may worship, he decided to throw off his batting helmet (why?) charge the mound and attack the 46-year-old fireballer. It might go down as the biggest mistake of his career. Ryan saw him coming, tossed his glove, and placed the third baseman into a headlock where he pummeled him atop the head about a half dozen times or so. The benches emptied and Ryan wound up under the pile. Home plate umpire Richie Garcia tossed Ventura and then White Sox Manager Gene Lamont protested, he, too, was given the heave-ho. As if charging the mound wasn't irrational, Ventura sounded even more ridiculous after the game, dismissing the head punches as nothing and saying that if you don't understand Ryan was throwing at him, "You don't understand the game." Definitely not, Robin. Putting a .245 hitter on base in a game where you're already trailing, 2-0, makes complete and total sense - to a moron. And Lamont doubled down on stupid by saying the reason he was ejected is because he was screaming that RYAN was the one throwing the punches, not Ventura. Yes, this, too makes total sense. Ryan raced up to home plate and socked Ventura about the head and neck a half dozen times, right?
In the end, it won't matter...unless the Rangers use this as motivation to climb out of the 5.5 game hole they're in right now.
Atlanta Braves 9 (W: Howell, 2-3: SV: McMichael, 4)
Philadelphia Phillies 8 (L: West, 3-3)
65-44
2nd place
7.5 games behind
OLSON'S HOMER RALLIES BRAVES
RYAN TEES OFF ON VENTURA
Nobody will ever confuse Atlanta Braves catcher Greg Olson for a major league slugger. The light-hitting platoon catcher had only 18 career home runs less than 48 hours ago, but he has socked two long distance bombs, one in each of the last two contests against the Phillies. Tonight's blow was the game winner as Olson strode to the plate with the Braves trailing, 8-6, and only four outs from losing and unloaded a 421-foot shot into the left field seats of Fulton County Stadium off reliever David West, capping a four-run inning and giving the Braves a 9-8 lead. New closer Greg McMichael had a bit of trouble but worked his way through the 9th scoreless, and the Braves left the field with the win. With the Giants losing in extra innings to the hapless Padres, 11-10, the Braves cut San Francisco's lead to 7.5 games in the NL West. The Braves and Phillies combined for 17 runs on 24 hits as both starters, Tom Glavine and Curt Schilling, gave up a combined 12 runs and turned the game over to their team's shaky bullpens.
The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the third when Darren Daulton doubled with two on and two out, scoring both runners. It lasted a little more than one inning, when David Justice drilled a three-run bomb that put the Braves out front, 3-2. But Philly countered in the top of the 5th when Pete Incaviglia returned the favor with a three-run shot of his own. A single by Mark Lemke, who advanced on a bunt and then scored on Mariano Duncan's error cut the Phillies' lead to 5-4, but Duncan made up for his faux pas an inning later when he greeted reliever Steve Bedrosian with a two-out two-run double that extended the lead to 7-4. An inning later, Incaviglia doubled and scored on a single by Kevin Stocker, and the Braves were staring a second straight loss in the face as they came to bat trailing, 8-4. But when Lemke singled to center to start the 7th and then scored on a Deion Sanders bloop hit after Schilling had wild pitched him to second, Schilling was yanked, giving the Braves a chance to rally against Philly's pathetic bullpen. And rally they did. Fred McGriff greeted West in the 8th with a single to left, and Justice walked. West bore down to get both Terry Pendleton and Francisco Cabrera on strikeouts but Lemke, who was 2-for-3 on the night, singled McGriff home and narrowed the deficit to 8-6. That's when Olson connected on his second homer in two nights, giving the Braves the lead and Philly the blues. Philly threatened but failed to score, and the Braves left the field with another comeback win. And then there was the sheer stupidity that occurred in Arlington.
The Texas Rangers beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-2, when they rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a five-run sixth keyed by Rafael Palmeiro's two-run bomb. But nobody will remember this, including the 32,000 fans who came to see a Wednesday night ballgame. What they saw and will remember is what happened in the third inning.
With the White Sox leading, 2-0, third baseman Robin Ventura batted with one out in the third. And yes, Juan Gonzalez had been hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the second, but nothing seemed to be out of order. Texas legend Nolan Ryan, heading for the Old Ballplayers Home after this season, hit Ventura just below the right elbow. He grimaced in pain and took two steps towards first. Then, for reasons known only to Ventura and whatever god he may worship, he decided to throw off his batting helmet (why?) charge the mound and attack the 46-year-old fireballer. It might go down as the biggest mistake of his career. Ryan saw him coming, tossed his glove, and placed the third baseman into a headlock where he pummeled him atop the head about a half dozen times or so. The benches emptied and Ryan wound up under the pile. Home plate umpire Richie Garcia tossed Ventura and then White Sox Manager Gene Lamont protested, he, too, was given the heave-ho. As if charging the mound wasn't irrational, Ventura sounded even more ridiculous after the game, dismissing the head punches as nothing and saying that if you don't understand Ryan was throwing at him, "You don't understand the game." Definitely not, Robin. Putting a .245 hitter on base in a game where you're already trailing, 2-0, makes complete and total sense - to a moron. And Lamont doubled down on stupid by saying the reason he was ejected is because he was screaming that RYAN was the one throwing the punches, not Ventura. Yes, this, too makes total sense. Ryan raced up to home plate and socked Ventura about the head and neck a half dozen times, right?
In the end, it won't matter...unless the Rangers use this as motivation to climb out of the 5.5 game hole they're in right now.
Last edited:
August 5, 1993
Philadelphia Phillies 10 (W: Rivera, 10-6)
Atlanta Braves 4 (L: Maddux, 12-9)
65-45
2nd place
8.5 games behind
Philadelphia Phillies 10 (W: Rivera, 10-6)
Atlanta Braves 4 (L: Maddux, 12-9)
65-45
2nd place
8.5 games behind
Last edited:
August 6, 1993
Montreal Expos 8 (W: Rueter, 2-0)
Atlanta Braves 2 (L: Smoltz, 10-9)
65-46
2nd place
9.5 games behind
Montreal Expos 8 (W: Rueter, 2-0)
Atlanta Braves 2 (L: Smoltz, 10-9)
65-46
2nd place
9.5 games behind
August 7, 1993
Montreal Expos 5 (W: Scott, 4-1: SV: Wetteland, 25)
Atlanta Braves 3 (L: Stanton, 4-4)
65-47
2nd place
9.5 games behind
Montreal Expos 5 (W: Scott, 4-1: SV: Wetteland, 25)
Atlanta Braves 3 (L: Stanton, 4-4)
65-47
2nd place
9.5 games behind
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