Braves Sweep Reds!

Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Game 1

The 1980 home opener will not be remembered well for the Reds fans.  Atlanta crushed 3 homeruns including 2 by big hitting third sacker Bob Horner.  Horner drove in 3 runs and was the hitting star. Phil Niekro got the start for Atlanta and worked into the seventh to secure his first win of the year. Fireballing, eat-a-holic Frank Pastore got the start for the Reds and also the loss. Perhaps that 72 ounce steak he consumed in Texas before the season opener bogged him down. Braves 7...Reds 2.

Pastore's dinner that cost him the loss. 72 ounces with all the trimmings to go along with 3 Martinis.

Game 2

The second match of the season did not fair well for the Red legs either.  Bob Horner hit his third homerun of the season to lead the Braves to another victory over Cincinnati.  Dale Murphy also connected for a long blast for the Braves as well. Both starting pitchers were mediocre as Mike LaCoss surrendered 6 runs but was not around for the loss. Tomlin was hung with the loss as he was ineffective in relief. Atlanta's starter, Larry McWilliams did not fool anyone either as the Reds tagged him for 4 runs on 9 hits over 5 innings pitched. Johnny Bench went deep twice and George Foster hit his first of the year but it was not enough as Rick Camp earned the win in relief for the Braves. Braves 8....Reds 6.

Game 3

Atlanta's right hander Rick Matula was on his "A" game as he shut down the Big Red Machine through 8 innings.  Matula struck out 6 batters and did not allow a run. Light hitting catcher Biff Pocoroba knocked in 2 runs for the Braves and that would be all they would need on this day. Bonham received the loss for Cincinnati. Braves 4.....Reds 0.

Game 4,

Knuckle ball ace, Phil Niekro started 2 games and won them both in the series.

The Reds did very little in the series finale to prevent a season opening sweep at home. Atlanta struck for 6 runs in the 7th inning as they manhandled the Reds inept pitching staff.  Charlie Leibrandt received the brunt of the Brave onslaught as he coughed up 10 runs over 6.1 innings pitched.  Bob Horner connected for his 4th homerun of the series and drove in another 3 runs to lead the attack. The winner was Phil Niekro(2-0) as he made his second start of the series. Braves 11...Reds 3.