April 21, 1985 Game 133: Astros (4-7) at Braves (2-8)

The Astros have won 2 in a row while the braves have dropped their last 6.  The Astros want to add to Braves misery and the Braves just want something to cheer about.  THe Astros send Bob Knepper who has been hit all over the ballpark in his 2 starts to the mound and the Braves send Len Barker who also has been letting opposing teams abuse him.  We would see today two pitchers who looked like their old selves and would engage in a dual of sorts.

Doran would lead-off the game with a solo shot off of Barker and I thought it was going to be a long game as it is one batter 1-0 Astros lead .  But Barker would not let that effect him has he would get the next 3 hitters.

In the 2nd Hubbard would put the Braves up 2-1 when he takes a Knepper fastball downtown for a 2 run homer.  After that Knepper was on auto pilot.

The Astros would tie it up in the 4th.  Ramirez takes a Mumphrey grounder and put the trow in the dirt and Chambliss can't scoop it and Mumphrey ends up on 2nd.  Davis bounces out to Hubbard and Mumphrey is on 3rd.  Ashby singles in to left and Mumphrey scores and its 2-2.

The score would stay that for a while and in the 6th the Astros threatened when Cruz hit a deep flyball to right that look like it would be a solo home run but Washington reaches over the top of the wall to rob Cruz of the Homer.  

In the 7th though the Braves get to Knepper and take the lead.  Zuvella singles, Hubbard singles, Horner pinch hitting for Barker singled to load the bases with nobody out.  Ramirez singles with 1 out and that scores Zuvella.  Dawley then strikes-out the next two batters to end the threat and it is 3-2 Braves.  The Braves bullpen would keep the Astros in check and Bruce Sutter get his 1st save of the season

The Final Score 3-2 Braves