NLCS GAME 5: Braves 6, Expos 5

NLCS - '83 Expos (2) vs '51 Braves (4)
GAMES 3-5 - Braves Field
The winner of the pivotal game 5 typically goes on to win the series.  Both teams knew that the loser would be forced to win 2 games in a row to head on to the World Series.  Game 5 saw a rematch of game 1 starters.  Charlie Lea (MON) and the great Warren Spahn (BSN) were set to go.  Neither starter was very impressive in the opening inning.  Montreal jumper all over Spahn and scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st.  In fact Spahn didn't register an out until he faced the #6 hitter Jim Wohlford, who flew out to center for a sac fly that scored Gary Carter for the 3rd run of the inning.  Both Carter and Andre Dawson had RBI singles prior to Wohlford's sac fly.  Montreal's confidence didn't last long.  Sam Jethroe led off for the Braves and tripled off the center field wall.  Earl Torgeson walked to put runners on the corners for Walker Cooper who singled home Jethroe to make it 3-1.  After Sid Gordon walked Bob Elliot flew out to right to score Torgeson on the sac fly.  Lea was able to wiggle out of danger, but the score was 3-2.  A Gary Carter double in the top of the second scored the speedy Raines from first, but the Braves answered right back with a solo run in the bottom of the frame to make it 4-3 Expos.  Lea and Spahn finally settled down and began pitching well.  Lea lost the strike zone in the 6th and served up two quick singles to Elliott and Willard Marshall respectively.  A wild pitch allowed both runners to move up into scoring position and Sibby Sisti delivered a two run double that put the Braves up 5-4, which is how it would stay until the top of 9th.  Raines led off with a single then stole second after Manny Trillo lined out.  In a classic battle of HOF'ers Andre Dawson bested Warren Spahn with a clean single to center to score Raines to tie the game at 5.  Dan Schatzeder, who pitched a scoreless 8th inning in relief of Lea returned for the 9th to face switch hitter Sam Jethroe.  On Schatzeder's firs pitch Jethroe hit a warning track shot that would have fallen short on most nights.  This night however the 5mph wind blowing out from left to right carried the ball just over the fence for a game winning walk off homer.  Phil Paine, who pitched to 1 batter in the 9th for the Braves was the unlikely winner as the series heads back to Montreal with the Braves up 3 games to 2.

Braves lead the series 3-2