"Alexander" The Great

 Doyle Alexander made his first start of the season and it was masterful. He shut down the Cards on 4 hits through 7 innings and, thanks to timely hitting, picked up the victory to raise Atlanta's season record to 20-25. He got help from his bullpen as Paul Assenmacher pitched the 8th and Jim Acker tossed a scoreless 9th to record his 6th save of the season.

 Despite the victory, Chuck Tanner received some bad news in the Game Day pre-game check. Due to unfortunate dice rolls, the Braves will be Dissonant until further notice.

 The final game of the series and the road trip will see Rick Mahler for Atlanta vs lefty Tim Conroy for the Cardinals. After this game, the Braves will return to the friendly confines of Fulton County Stadium for a 12 game home stand vs Chicago, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

5/26/1987

 
Braves        AB  R  H RBI AVG   Cardinals        AB  R  H RBI AVG
James CF      5  1  3  0 .342    Coleman LF        4  0  1  0 .326  
Oberkfell 3B  3  0  0  0 .264    Smith SS          4  0  2  1 .335  
Perry 1B      5  0  1  1 .206    Pendleton 3B      4  0  0  0 .283  
Murphy RF     3  1  0  0 .315    Clark 1B          4  0  1  0 .308  
Griffey LF    4  0  1  1 .289    McGee CF          3  0  0  0 .313  
Thomas SS     4  0  1  0 .187    Herr 2B           4  0  0  0 .173  
Virgil C      3  0  1  0 .293    Ford RF           3  0  0  0 .288  
Hubbard 2B    3  0  0  0 .273    Dawley P          0  0  0  0 .000  
Alexander P   3  0  1  0 .333   C- Oquendo PH      1  0  0  0 .240  
Assenmacher   0  0  0  0 ----    Pena C            1  1  0  0 .545 

B-Simmons PH  1  0  0  0 .397    Forsch P          0  0  0  0 .200  

Acker P       0  0  0  0 ----   A-Morris RF        1  0  1  0 .273  
             -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
   Totals    34  2  8  2                 Totals      29  1  5  1
 
A-Subbed Defensively (RF) For Forsch In 8th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Assenmacher In 9th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Dawley In 9th Inning
 
Braves.......... 0 0 1  0 0 0  0 1 0  -  2  8  0
Cardinals....... 0 0 1  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  5  1
 
Braves (20-25)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
D.Alexander WIN(1-0)      7       3   1   1   1   4   0  97   1.29
P.Assenmache HOLD(3rd)    1       2   0   0   0   1   0  16   6.28
J.Acker SAVE(6th)         1       0   0   0   1   2   0  17   5.13
Totals                    9       5   1   1   2   7   0
 
Cardinals (26-16)        IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
B.Forsch LOSS(4-3)        7 1/3   8   2   2   2   2   0 135   4.95
B.Dawley                  1 2/3   0   0   0   2   0   0  23   4.81
Totals                    9       8   2   2   4   2   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 45,918 DATE- Tuesday, May 26th 1987  
LEFT ON BASE- Braves:10  Cardinals: 6
DOUBLE PLAYS- Braves: 0  Cardinals: 2
ERRORS- T.Herr
DOUBLES- K.Griffey(5th), A.Thomas(2nd)
RBIs- G.Perry(16th), K.Griffey(25th), O.Smith(25th)
CAUGHT STEALING- V.Coleman
SACRIFICE HITS- B.Forsch-2
WALKS- K.Oberkfell-2, D.Murphy, O.Virgil, W.McGee, T.Pena
HIT BY PITCH- G.Hubbard, T.Pena
GIDP- G.Perry-2
TEAM RISP- Braves: 1 for 7  Cardinals: 2 for 8
  
 
*** TOP OF INNING 1 ***
0     D.James     1- 8     5 Single                         b-1 
0 1   K.Oberkfell 4- 9     5 Fly Out                        b-0 
1 1   G.Perry     2- 8     6 Ground Out Double Play         1-o b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 1 ***
0     V.Coleman   1- 6     4 Strike Out                     b-0 
1     O.Smith     2- 7     2 Fly Out                        b-0 
2     T.Pendleton 2- 6     5 Ground Out                     b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 2 ***
0     D.Murphy    1- 5     5 Strike Out                     b-0 
1     K.Griffey   3- 2     5 Fly Out                        b-0 
2     A.Thomas    1-11  1  2 Double                         b-2 
2  2  O.Virgil    1- 5     1 Ground Out                     b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 2 ***
0     J.Clark     2-11     6 Single                         b-1 
0 1   W.McGee     6-11     5 Ground Out                     1-2 b-0 
1  2  T.Herr      1- 6     6 Fly Out                        b-0 
2  2  C.Ford      1- 5     6 Ground Out                     b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 3 ***
0     G.Hubbard   5- 7     5 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     D.Alexander 3- 2     3 Line Out                       b-0 
2     D.James     1- 8     2 Single                         b-1 
2 1   K.Oberkfell 1- 7     5 Walk                           1-2 b-1 
2 12  G.Perry     3- 6 19  4 Single                         2-H 1-2 b-1 
2 12  D.Murphy    6- 9     6 Ground Out                     b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 3 ***
0     T.Pena      1- 3     5 Walk                           b-1 
0 1   B.Forsch             4 Sac Bunt                       1-2 b-0 
1  2  V.Coleman   2- 8     6 Single                         2-3 b-1 
1 1 3 O.Smith     1- 7     5 Single                         3-H 1-3 b-1 
1 1 3 T.Pendleton 1- 7     3 Strike Out                     b-0 
2 1 3 J.Clark     3- 3     1 Fly Out                        b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 4 ***
0     K.Griffey   1- 9     3 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     A.Thomas    1- 5     6 Ground Out                     b-0 
2     O.Virgil    3- 9     5 Single                         b-1 
2 1   G.Hubbard   3- 3     3 HBP                            1-2 b-1 
2 12  D.Alexander 1- 7     5 Strike Out                     b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 4 ***
0     W.McGee     5- 9     3 Fly Out                        b-0 
1     T.Herr      1- 7     3 Strike Out                     b-0 
2     C.Ford      2- 6     3 Strike Out                     b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 5 ***
0     D.James     2- 5     5 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     K.Oberkfell          5 1 Base Error - 2B              b-1 
1 1   G.Perry     2- 8     2 Ground Out Double Play         1-o b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 5 ***
0     T.Pena               2 HBP                            b-1 
0 1   B.Forsch             3 Sac Bunt                       1-2 b-0 
1  2  V.Coleman   5- 9     1 Fly Out                        b-0 
2  2  O.Smith     2- 4     1 Ground Out                     b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 6 ***
0     D.Murphy    4-11     1 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     K.Griffey   3- 3     6 Pop Out                        b-0 
2     A.Thomas    3- 3     5 Pop Out                        b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 6 ***
0     T.Pendleton 6- 9     2 Pop Out                        b-0 
1     J.Clark     6-10     5 Ground Out                     b-0 
2     W.McGee     2- 5     3 Ground Out                     b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 7 ***
0     O.Virgil    1- 4     3 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     G.Hubbard   2- 7     5 Ground Out                     b-0 
2     D.Alexander 4- 7     5 Single                         b-1 
2 1   D.James     1- 9     5 Single                         1-2 b-1 
2 12  K.Oberkfell 1- 3     3 Fly Out                        b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 7 ***
0     T.Herr      3- 6     6 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     C.Ford      2- 4     3 Fly Out                        b-0 
2     T.Pena      6- 5     4 Line Out                       b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 8 ***
0     G.Perry     2- 6     4 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     D.Murphy    1-12     4 Walk                           b-1 
1 1   K.Griffey   1- 6     6 Double                         1-H b-2 
                             SUBSTITUTE P - Bill Dawley
                             SUBSTITUTE RF- John Morris
1  2  A.Thomas    2- 9     3 Pop Out                        b-0 
2  2  O.Virgil             0 Int Walk                       b-1 
2 12  G.Hubbard   2- 5     6 Pop Out                        b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 8 ***
                             SUBSTITUTE P - Paul Assenmacher
0     J.Morris    3- 7     1 Single                         b-1 
0 1   V.Coleman   2-11     3 Force Play                     1-o b-1 
1 1                        1 Caught Stealing                1-o 
2     O.Smith     1- 7     6 Single                         b-1 
2 1   T.Pendleton 4- 5     5 Strike Out                     b-0 
*** TOP OF INNING 9 ***
                             SUBSTITUTE PH- Ted Simmons
0     T.Simmons   1- 5     4 Ground Out                     b-0 
1     D.James     6- 5     3 Fly Out                        b-0 
2     K.Oberkfell 1- 7     4 Walk                           b-1 
2 1   G.Perry     1- 5     3 Fly Out                        b-0 
*** BOTTOM OF INNING 9 ***
                             SUBSTITUTE P - Jim Acker
0     J.Clark     1- 3     3 Strike Out                     b-0 
1     W.McGee     4- 6     6 Walk                           b-1 
1 1   T.Herr      1- 7     4 Strike Out                     b-0 
                             SUBSTITUTE PH- Jose Oquendo
2 1   J.Oquendo   3- 3     4 Ground Out                     b-0 

Game 44 - Just not in the "Cards" for the Braves

   The Atlanta Braves opened their 3 game series with St. Louis by dropping a tough 4-2 decision. Things looked promising early on as Dale Murphy connected on his 17th home run of the season for a 2-0 lead before St. Louis even came to bat. However, the lead was short lived as the Cards got their small ball going in the third inning.

  With the aid of the Astro Turf and the aid of a Ken Oberkfell error. Speedy Vince Coleman led off the inning reaching on the aforementioned Oberkfell boot. Ozzie followed with a walk then the track meet was underway. Two singles, two walks and two steals later, the Cards put up a 3 spot to take a lead they would never relinquish. The stolen base was big in the 4th inning as well. With one out, Ozzie singled and stole second. After a fly out made it two outs, a Jack Clark walk and a Willie McGee single made it 4-2.

  Danny Cox settled in after the first and tossed 8 solid innings. Todd Worrell closed it out in the 9th for the save. The Braves drop to 19-25 on the season with two games remaining at Busch before getting to come back to the friendly confines of Fulton County Stadium to start a season long 12 game home stand.

 1987 Atlanta Braves At 1987 St. Louis Cardinals    

 Braves         AB  R  H RBI AVG     Cardinals       AB  R  H RBI AVG

 A.Hall CF       4  1  4  0 .265     V.Coleman LF     5  1  0  0 .328    

 D.James LF      4  0  1  0 .333     O.Smith SS       4  2  2  0 .331

 K.Oberkfell 3B  4  0  0  0 .269     T.Pendleton 3B   5  1  3  1 .290   

 D.Murphy RF     3  1  1  2 .320     J.Clark 1B       2  0  0  0 .309    

 G.Perry 1B      4  0  1  0 .206     W.McGee CF       4  0  2  2 .318 

 A.Thomas SS     3  0  0  0 .184     T.Herr 2B        4  0  2  1 .180

 T.Simmons PH    0  0  0  0 .403     J.Oquendo RF     4  0  1  0 .243

 B.Benedict C    2  0  0  0 .125     T.Pena C         3  0  0  0 .571 

 O.Virgil PH     1  0  0  0 .292     D.Cox P          3  0  0  0 .100

 G.Hubbard 2B    3  0  0  0 .279     C.Ford PH        1  0  0  0 .300 

 Z.Smith P       3  0  0  0 .037     T.Worrell P      0  0  0  0 .000  

    Totals      31  2  7  2                 Totals    35 4 10  4

Braves      2 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  2  7  2

Cardinals   0 0 3  1 0 0  0 0    -  4 10  0

Braves (19-25)    IP    H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA 

Z.Smith LOSS(3-4)  8   10   4   3   4   6   0 143   3.76 

Cardinals(26-15)   IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA 

D.Cox WIN(4-3)      8   7   2   2   2   8   1 109   3.42 

T.Worrell SAVE(7th) 1   0   0   0   1   1   0  14   3.24 

ATTENDANCE- 49,169 DATE- Monday, May 25th 1987 TIME- Night UMPIRES- Eric Gregg, Gerry Davis, Doug Harvey, Dick Stello 

LEFT ON BASE- Braves: 5 Cardinals:11 DOUBLE PLAYS- Braves: 0 Cardinals: 3 

ERRORS- A.Hall, K.Oberkfell 

DOUBLES- O.Smith(9th) 

HOME RUNS- D.Murphy(17th) 

RBIs- D.Murphy-2(46th), T.Pendleton(17th), W.McGee-2(22nd), T.Herr(16th)

STOLEN BASES- V.Coleman(28th), O.Smith(13th), T.Pendleton(3rd), T.Herr(1st) WALKS- D.Murphy, T.Simmons, B.Benedict, O.Smith, J.Clark-2, T.Pena 

STRIKE OUTS- D.James-2, K.Oberkfell, G.Perry, A.Thomas-2, B.Benedict, G.Hubbard,             Z.Smith, J.Clark, T.Herr, J.Oquendo-2, T.Pena, D.Cox 

GIDP- K.Oberkfell, A.Thomas, G.Hubbard 

TEAM RISP- Braves: 1 for 5  Cardinals: 3 for 13

Game 43 A Wrigley comeback - A Sacrificial Game

The Braves got back on the winning track by taking a 3-2 series finale victory over the Cubs at Wrigley. It did not look good for the Braves early on. In the bottom of the first, a 2 out single by Leon Durham brought home Ryne Sandberg for a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until the bottom of the 5th. Ryne Sandberg led off with his 9th Home Run to put the Cubs up 2-0. Things turned around in the top of the 6th. Ken Oberkfell reached on a Leon Durham error to lead off the inning. Gerald Perry followed with a double to score Oberkfell and, for good measure, he stole 3rd. After Murphy struck out, Ted Simmons brought home Perry with a sac fly to tie things at 2. Both starters (Puleo and Sutcliffe) settled down after that. Fast forward to the top of the 9th. Dickie Noles was now in to pitch for Chicago. Ted Simmons led off with a walk and Albert Hall came in to pinch run. Andres Thomas singled Hall to 3rd. Ozzie Virgil struck out but Glenn Hubbard followed with another sac fly to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. Jim Acker pitched a scoreless 9th to record his 5th save. Gene Garber pitched the 8th to earn the win. The Cubs had many opportunities but left 14 runners on base after out hitting the Braves 12-4. Atlanta now moves on in their road trip to the Astroturf of Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Zane Smith goes for the Braves against Danny Cox for the Cards.