Rick Tharp's Big Red Machine (78-CIN) sweeps the Braves (96-ATL)

GAME 1: Medium Red Machine wins 9-8

A game that billed itself as a battle of aces between Smoltz and Seaver proved to be anything but. The game really ended up being quite a slugfest with doubles by ;Blauser(1), Grissom(1), Jones, A(1), Bench(1), Rose(1) plus homeruns from Grissom 2(2), Justice(1), Bench(1), and Foster,G(1). Smoltz was tagged with 8 earned runs in 4.2 innings.

Turning point: The 4 run 4th proved to be tha straw that broke the braves back even tho they made a gallant run at it with 3 runs in the top of the ninth off Dave Tomlin. Doug Bair came in and slammed the door shut for the classic' first save.

MVP: Johnny Bench was named MVP based on his GWRBI

GAME 2: Reds win game 2 5-2

The Medium Red Machine man handled future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux tagging him with twelve hits and all five runs in a sub-par 5.1 inning performance. Meanwhile on the the Reds side Paul Moskau turned in a career day pitching and hitting. Moskau threw 8 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 earned runs, with the big surprise being his hitting going 2 for 3 with a homer.

Turning point: Maddux homerun to Moskau was the bad medicine for the Braves

MVP: Paul Moskau
AB R H BI W K Ave
3 2 2 1 0 0 .667
IP H R ER W K Ct ERA
8.0 5 2 2 0 3 116 2.25

GAME 3: Reds 10 Braves 7

In the final game of the sweep the Reds fell behind early after comitting greviuos back to back-to-back errors with 2 outs and nobody on in the second. The Braves pounced on the chance following the first error up with 5 hits including 2 homeruns one a grand salami by Chipper Jones. After that the Medium Red Machine slowly found traction tied up the game and drove Glavine from the mound in the fifth and then took the lead for keeps.

Turning point: The Braves tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fifth starting the inning with 3 straight singles to load the bases. Timely pitching from the bullpen and rock solid defense stopped the rally in it's tracks leaving three stranded.

MVP: George Foster with 2 homeruns AB R H BI W K 5 3 4 3 0 1
My vote for matchup MVP Justice,David* Ave G AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI .538 3 13 3 7 0 0 3 16 4 --submitted by Rick Tharp--