This was a topsy-turvy slug fest!!!
The fireworks started in the bottom of the first when Dale Murphy smacked a two-run homer to give the Braves the early lead. But the Reds tied it up in the second thanks to an Eric Davis double (he scored the second run on a throwing error on a pick-off attempt by Pascual Perez). Dave Parker added another two RBI in the top of the third off a double, making it Reds 4, Braves 2.
A Dan Driessen RBI single in the fifth extended the lead, but Atlanta came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a clutch three-run bomb from Claudell Washington off John Franco. Dave Concepcion pulled the Reds ahead again in the eighth, doubling home Parker. But in the bottom of the eighth pinch-hitter Paul Runge tied it again by singling home Brad Komminsk!
It was still tied 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth with Carl Willis pitching for Cincy. He allowed a one-out single to Chris Chambliss and then walked Komminsk. Bruce Benedict lined out, which brought Runge back up as he had taken over at shortstop. Runge singled and Chambliss rounded home! Dave Parker scooped up the ball and launched a cannon to home....OUT! Chambliss was out! Parker saved the game and it was off to extra innings.
Both bullpen logged goose eggs until the top of the thirteenth inning. Dave Parker led off with a walk, and the next three batters reached base. There were two doubles after that and when it was all said and done the Reds put five runs on the board! Cincy handed the ball to Bill Scherrer to close it out, but he made it pretty dramatic by allowing two runs before getting Chambliss to ground out to end the game. Whew!
Winning Pitcher - Carl Willis
Losing Pitcher - Donnie Moore
Player of the Game - Dave Parker, 2-5, 2B, 2RBI, 3R's, 2BB's, ASST
Ron Romanick got roughed up early and often in this one. In the top of the third a two-out error by Rob Wilfong led to three unearned runs for Cleveland. Joe Carter jacked a GRAND SLAM in the top of the fourth and the Tribe were way out front, 7-0.
And that's when the comeback started. In the bottom of the sixth Bert Blyleven allowed five runs, including a three-run job off the bat of Juan Beniquez. Lefty specialist Mike Jeffcoat was on the hill in the seventh when he allowed back to back solo homers to Brian Downing and Fred Lynn - tie game!!! And in the bottom of the eighth Wilfong made up for his error by hitting a go-ahead homer!!! The Angels overcame a seven run deficit to win the game.
Winning Pitcher - Luis Sanchez
Losing Pitcher - Ernie Camacho
Save - Don Aase
Player of the Game - Fred Lynn, 3-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson
