Braves take 2 of 3 from Redlegs: move to within 1 game of NL West lead

9/12 - 3:06, – 75ø - 10mph Out to LCF
GAME 1 - Crosley Field - Braves 10, Reds 3

Harvey Haddix came down to earth with a loud crash.  In 7 innings of work “Mr. Imperfect” gave up 8 runs as the Braves made Cincy took notice that they are gunning for the NL West crown.  Boston blew the doors open on this one with a 6 run 4th inning.  Bob Elliot hit his 5th homer of the season and went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI to raise his average to .351.  Chet Nichols (2-1, 3.52) went the distance for the Braves and gave up all 3 runs that he allowed in the 5th.  Frank Robinson went 1 for 4 and has been slumping of late.  His season average is .243.  Rumor has it he’s looking like an “old 23”.

9/13 - 2:17, – 80ø - 5mph Out to LCF
GAME 2 – Crosley Field - Braves 4, Reds 2

Bob Purkey’s (1-4, 4.89) troubles continue.  While the Reds have been near or at the top of the NL West all season, Purkey has been putrid.  Today’s outing, which featured a complete game 4 run effort, could be classified as a quality start and a step in the right direction.  Well almost…Purkey and pals know they have to put forward a better effort when facing their key rival for the divisional crown.   This was a big loss.  The Braves put them in a tie for the NL West lead with the Reds.  Vern Bickford went the distance for Beantown and gave up only 1 earned run in 9 innings of work.  Purkey’s undoing was the 4 run 3rd inning he allowed the Bostonians.  Three of those runs came off the bat of one Sid Gordon who hit a blast over the Crosley Field score board.  On a happy note for the Redlegs Frank Robby went 3 for 2 with an RBI as his average rose to .255.

9/14 - 2:34, – 74ø - 10mph Out to CF
GAME 1 – Crosley Field -  Reds 2, Braves 1

Joe Nuxhall (3-1, 3.29) had the unenviable task of trying to stave off a sweep at the hands of the Braves and do it against quite possibly the best lefty of all time, Warren Spahn.  To do this Nuxhall would have to be near perfect, and to his credit he absolutely was.  Sans the solo run scored in the 4th off a Sid G0rdan sac fly, Nux-ie was near flawless.  He had to be, because Spahnie put forth a fantastic effort himself as he went the distance and posted goose eggs in every inning except the 6th, where the Reds did their damage and scored both of their runs.  Walt Dropo and Pete Whisenant led off with singles.  Both runs actually scored on ground out (one by Ed Bailey and the other by Nux-ie himself).  Spahn was not going to make it easy on the Reds who had their backs up against the wall needing this win to regain 1st.  Nuxhall started the 9th, but quickly yielded a line shot single to pinch hitter Bob Elliott.  That  would be the end of the tiring southpaw’s day.  Righty Williard Schmidt would come on board and get 3 easy outs to end the game and notch his 3rd save of the campaign.  The only dark cloud on the day for the Redlegs was the fact that Frank Robby fell back into his season long malaise and took the collar (0-4 with 2 k’s) to see his average all to .245.  The Reds need him to start murdering the ball if they hope to hang on to the NL West Crown.