| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME LOG
CINCINNATI (AP) -- When Chris Stynes' two-out grounder went right
to Chipper Jones, the All-Star third baseman was thinking the same
thing as everyone else: It's over.
To everyone's surprise, it wasn't. Jones' throwing error set up
Cincinnati's tying ninth-inning rally, and Dante Bichette singled
home a run in the 10th to give the Reds a 3-2 victory Monday night
over the Atlanta Braves.
|  | | Dante Bichette is congratulated by Reds teammate Alex Ochoa, right, after hitting an RBI single that beat the Braves 3-2 in 10 innings. |
Jones' poor throw to first let Cincinnati come back for only its
fifth victory in 30 games against the Braves since 1997. This one
was the most improbable of the bunch.
"I still don't know what happened," Jones said. "The ball
just sunk. That's what makes it so hard to swallow. The game's
over, a 2-0 win. Mark it down. That gave them life, the extra out.
They tie it and then win it in extras."
Chris Sexton started the winning rally with a single off Kerry
Ligtenberg (2-2) and advanced on a sacrifice. After Ken Griffey Jr. was walked intentionally, Bichette lined a single to left, ending
it with his third hit of the game.
The Reds streamed out of the dugout and pounced on Sexton at
home, reminiscent of their last-inning celebrations in 1999. Those
have been hard to come by this year.
The come-from-behind win broke a five-game losing streak but
left them struggling at 55-56.
"We haven't been getting those breaks lately," Reese said.
"Chipper is an All-Star player, but those things happen. Tonight
it went our way."
Mark Wohlers, who got the final out in Atlanta's 1995 World
Series victory over Cleveland, faced his former team for the first
time and gave up a double and a walk in the top of the 10th. Scott
Sullivan (2-4) pitched out of the threat to get the win.
Defense and Greg Maddux's impeccable pitching let the Braves
take a 2-0 lead into the ninth against the only team in the majors
that has yet to be shut out.
Right fielder Brian Jordan stretched over the wall to rob
Griffey of a two-run homer in the sixth, erasing the only big
mistake Maddux made in 7 1/3 innings.
Although Maddux threw only 88 pitches -- 61 of them strikes -- he
was tired and bothered by a sore foot, nicked by Reese's comeback
grounder in the second.
"I know when I'm done and I was done," Maddux said. "We're
trying to win. They probably would have scored more than two runs
if I was in there."
John Rocker got booed loudly as he sprinted in from the bullpen
to try to finish off the Reds. Bichette doubled and Jones bounced
his throw to first on Stynes' two-out grounder, setting up the
comeback.
Rocker threw a wild pitch to send Bichette home from third, and
Reese -- in a 3-for-28 slump -- doubled to tie it.
Maddux allowed six hits and didn't walk a batter, but wound up
with a no-decision. He's 0-3 in his last four starts, a slump due
more to the Braves' offense than his pitching. Atlanta has been
shut out in two of the four games.
Rafael Furcal scored one run and singled home another off Steve
Parris to give Maddux a 2-0 lead that stood up until the ninth.
Maddux didn't go to a three-ball count on any batter until
Griffey took him to a full count with one on and one out in the
sixth. Griffey then sent a high arching shot to right as the 34,990
fans shrieked and flashbulbs popped.
Jordan drifted and perfectly timed his jump, stretching his
glove over the wall to bring the ball back. It was a white speck
near the top of the webbing when Jordan landed.
"He hit the ball a mile high," Jordan said. "I had a chance
to get back to the wall. It was just a matter of timing and
jumping."
The fans groaned as the catch was replayed on the video board.
Jordan's teammates lined up to congratulate him when he reached the
dugout.
Maddux and Griffey had never faced each other in a regular
season game. Griffey singled sharply to right in his first at-bat,
took a called third strike and was robbed by Jordan.
Brian Hunter, obtained by the Reds in a trade with Colorado on
Sunday, showed up a half-hour before the game, started in left
field, batted leadoff and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a
groundout.
Game notes
Maddux and Griffey each have won 10 consecutive Gold
Gloves, the longest current streaks. ... Maddux is 5-0 in his last
six starts against Cincinnati, allowing only four runs in 42 1/3
innings, a 0.85 ERA. ... The Reds extended their franchise record
of 112 games without being shut out. ... The Reds designated OF
Brooks Kieschnick for assignment to open a roster spot for Hunter.
... Hunter has yet to serve his three-game suspension for charging
Cincinnati's Scott Sullivan on July 15. Sullivan already has done
his time.
| |
ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Atlanta Clubhouse
Cincinnati Clubhouse
Chipper Jones, Braves reportedly near $90M deal
RECAPS
Seattle 8
NY Yankees 5
Cleveland 2
Texas 0
Baltimore 4
Detroit 3
Minnesota 4
Tampa Bay 2
Kansas City 8
Toronto 7
Anaheim 4
Boston 1
Cincinnati 3
Atlanta 2
San Diego 6
Philadelphia 4
NY Mets 6
Houston 5
St. Louis 2
Florida 1
Pittsburgh 8
Colorado 7
Arizona 5
Montreal 2
Chicago Cubs 7
Los Angeles 3
San Francisco 8
Milwaukee 1
AUDIO/VIDEO
 After losing 5 in a row, Skipper Jack McKeon was glad to see a victory.
wav: 122 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Pinch-hitter Chris Sexton was happy to contribute to a much needed win.
wav: 102 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
|
