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Scores
Standings
CLE
@BAL
8
5
SEA
@CHW
3
1
BOS
@DET
6
5
 
(11)
CAL
@KCR
3
7
TOR
@MIN
1
3
MIL
@NYY
2
5
MIL
@NYY
5
3
TEX
@OAK
9
4
HOU
@ATL
0
9
SDP
@CIN
4
5
SFG
@LAD
6
3
 
(11)
MON
@PHI
8
11
NYM
@PIT
5
3
CHC
@STL
7
3
Wednesday, September 9, 1981
, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Attendance: 4,482, Time of Game: 2:34
Astros
0
47-40
 Lost 2 
3rd, 7 GB
at Braves
9
41-42
 Won 2 
5th, 11 GB
W: Phil Niekro (7-5)
L: Nolan Ryan (8-4)
                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Astros          0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0    0  8  1
Braves          2  3  0   0  0  0   1  3  X    9 15  0

Houston Astros

Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OPS WPA aLI WPA+ WPA- RE24 PO A
Tony Scott CF 4 0 1 0 0 0 .256 .637 -0.046 0.59 0.008 -0.053 -0.7 2 0 2B
Phil Garner 2B 3 0 0 0 1 0 .237 .609 -0.031 0.48 0.007 -0.038 -0.6 2 2
Denny Walling RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .244 .732 -0.039 0.39 0.000 -0.039 -0.8 2 0
Jose Cruz LF 3 0 0 0 1 0 .264 .743 -0.019 0.39 0.012 -0.031 -0.3 0 0
Harry Spilman 1B 4 0 3 0 0 0 .311 .701 0.020 0.52 0.047 -0.027 0.6 9 0 CS
Art Howe 3B 3 0 1 0 0 1 .317 .816 0.009 0.81 0.039 -0.031 0.3 1 1
   Mike Ivie PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 .263 .630 0.001 0.01 0.001 0.000 0.6
Alan Ashby C 3 0 0 0 1 0 .277 .714 -0.070 0.66 0.021 -0.091 -1.6 7 1 GDP
Craig Reynolds SS 4 0 1 0 0 0 .245 .649 -0.020 0.37 0.008 -0.029 -1.0 1 2
Nolan Ryan P 1 0 1 0 0 0 .216 .509 0.022 0.60 0.022 0.000 0.4 0 1
   Joe Pittman PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .276 .670 -0.006 0.24 0.000 -0.006 -0.1
   Gordie Pladson P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.0 0 0
   Danny Heep PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .225 .553 -0.008 0.38 0.000 -0.008 -0.2
   Bobby Sprowl P 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167 .333 0.000 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.0 0 1
   Tim Tolman PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 0.000 0.00 0.000 0.000 -0.5
Team Totals 33 0 8 0 3 2 .242 .578 -0.187 0.46 0.165 -0.353 -4.0 24 8
2B: T Scott (13, off P Niekro).
TB: H Spilman 3; T Scott 2; M Ivie; A Howe; C Reynolds; N Ryan.
GIDP: A Ashby (6).
Team LOB: 9.
With RISP: 1 for 9.
Fielding
E: C Reynolds (10).
Baserunning
CS: H Spilman (1, 2nd base by P Niekro/B Benedict).

Atlanta Braves

Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OPS WPA aLI WPA+ WPA- RE24 PO A
Eddie Miller RF 4 0 1 0 1 1 .231 .553 -0.033 0.50 0.043 -0.076 -0.3 4 0 SB,CS
Brett Butler LF 3 2 1 0 2 1 .233 .683 -0.005 0.35 0.010 -0.016 0.6 2 0
Bob Horner 3B 4 2 2 3 1 0 .273 .761 0.167 0.38 0.174 -0.008 2.0 0 1 HR
Chris Chambliss 1B 4 2 2 0 1 0 .275 .764 0.014 0.25 0.023 -0.009 0.7 5 3 2B
Dale Murphy CF 4 1 2 1 1 0 .262 .711 0.026 0.45 0.037 -0.011 0.4 3 0
Glenn Hubbard 2B 5 1 3 2 0 0 .258 .708 0.187 0.67 0.190 -0.003 2.3 4 5
Bruce Benedict C 3 0 0 0 1 1 .259 .693 -0.034 0.32 0.001 -0.034 -0.5 3 2 SH
Rafael Ramirez SS 5 1 4 3 0 0 .216 .564 0.014 0.20 0.030 -0.016 2.0 3 2 3B
Phil Niekro P 4 0 0 0 0 3 .068 .136 -0.024 0.31 0.000 -0.024 -1.6 3 1 SH
Team Totals 36 9 15 9 7 6 .417 1.095 0.312 0.39 0.508 -0.197 5.5 27 14
2B: C Chambliss (21, off G Pladson).
3B: R Ramirez (1, off G Pladson).
HR: B Horner (9, off N Ryan; 2nd inn, 2 on, 2 outs to LF).
SH: B Benedict (5, off B Sprowl); P Niekro (2, off N Ryan).
TB: R Ramirez 6; B Horner 5; C Chambliss 3; G Hubbard 3; D Murphy 2; B Butler; E Miller.
RBI: R Ramirez 3 (18); B Horner 3 (32); G Hubbard 2 (31); D Murphy (41).
2-out RBI: B Horner 3; R Ramirez 2; G Hubbard 2.
Team LOB: 12.
With RISP: 6 for 17.
Fielding
DP: 2. B Benedict-G Hubbard; C Chambliss-B Benedict-C Chambliss.
Baserunning
SB: E Miller (21, 2nd base off N Ryan/A Ashby).
CS: E Miller (4, 2nd base by N Ryan/A Ashby).

Houston Astros

Pitching IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BF GSc IR IS WPA aLI RE24
Nolan Ryan, L (8-4) 4 7 5 5 5 3 1 1.63 23 26 -0.315 0.69 -3.2
Gordie Pladson 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 9 0 0 0.010 0.08 0.9
Bobby Sprowl 2 6 4 4 1 2 0 6.18 13 0 0 -0.007 0.02 -3.1
Team Totals 8 15 9 9 7 6 1 10.12 45 26 0 0 -0.312 0.46 -5.5

Atlanta Braves

Pitching IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BF GSc IR IS WPA aLI RE24
Phil Niekro, W (7-5) 9 8 0 0 3 2 0 2.99 36 70 0.188 0.46 4.0
Team Totals 9 8 0 0 3 2 0 0.00 36 70 0.188 0.39 4.0
Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: None.
IBB: None.
Pickoffs: None.

Other Info

Umpires: HP - Bill Williams, 1B - Dave Pallone, 2B - Fred Brocklander, 3B - Paul Pryor.
Time of Game: 2:34.
Attendance: 4,482.
Field Condition: Unknown.
Start Time Weather: Unknown.

Starting Lineups

Houston Astros         Atlanta Braves
1 Tony Scott CF 1 Eddie Miller RF
2 Phil Garner 2B 2 Brett Butler LF
3 Denny Walling RF 3 Bob Horner 3B
4 Jose Cruz LF 4 Chris Chambliss 1B
5 Harry Spilman 1B 5 Dale Murphy CF
6 Art Howe 3B 6 Glenn Hubbard 2B
7 Alan Ashby C 7 Bruce Benedict C
8 Craig Reynolds SS 8 Rafael Ramirez SS
9 Nolan Ryan P 9 Phil Niekro P

Win Probability Chart

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Top 5 Plays

View Pitches · wWE and wWPA Explanation
Inn Score Out RoB Pit(cnt) R/O @Bat Batter Pitcher wWPA wWE Play Description
b1 0-0 2 123 RR ATL G. Hubbard N. Ryan 18% 75% Single to LF; Horner Scores; Chambliss Scores; Murphy to 3B
b2 2-0 2 1-3 RRR ATL B. Horner N. Ryan 16% 93% Home Run; Ramirez Scores; Butler Scores
t4 0-5 1 123 OO HOU A. Ashby P. Niekro 8% 96% Ground Ball Double Play: 1B-C-1B
b2 2-0 1 1-3 O ATL B. Butler N. Ryan -5% 76% Miller Caught Stealing 2B (C-2B-1B)
t2 0-2 1 1-- OO HOU A. Howe P. Niekro 5% 76% Double Play: Strikeout, Spilman Caught Stealing 2B (C-2B)

Play By Play

Inn Score Out RoB Pit(cnt) R/O @Bat Batter Pitcher wWPA wWE Play Description
Top of the 1st, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 1-2-3
t1 0-0 0 --- O HOU T. Scott P. Niekro 2% 52% Flyball: CF
t1 0-0 1 --- O HOU P. Garner P. Niekro 1% 54% Flyball: LF
t1 0-0 2 --- O HOU D. Walling P. Niekro 1% 55% Flyball: CF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 0.
Bottom of the 1st, Braves Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Nolan Ryan facing 1-2-3
b1 0-0 0 --- O ATL E. Miller N. Ryan -2% 52% Strikeout Looking
b1 0-0 1 --- O ATL B. Butler N. Ryan -1% 51% Strikeout
b1 0-0 2 --- ATL B. Horner N. Ryan 1% 52% Single to LF
b1 0-0 2 1-- ATL C. Chambliss N. Ryan 2% 54% Walk; Horner to 2B
b1 0-0 2 12- ATL D. Murphy N. Ryan 3% 57% Walk; Horner to 3B; Chambliss to 2B
b1 0-0 2 123 RR ATL G. Hubbard N. Ryan 18% 75% Single to LF; Horner Scores; Chambliss Scores; Murphy to 3B
b1 2-0 2 1-3 O ATL B. Benedict N. Ryan -3% 72% Strikeout
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 2.
Top of the 2nd, Astros Batting, Behind 0-2, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 4-5-6
t2 0-2 0 --- O HOU J. Cruz P. Niekro 2% 74% Flyball: 2B
t2 0-2 1 --- HOU H. Spilman P. Niekro -3% 71% Single to RF
t2 0-2 1 1-- OO HOU A. Howe P. Niekro 5% 76% Double Play: Strikeout, Spilman Caught Stealing 2B (C-2B)
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 2.
Bottom of the 2nd, Braves Batting, Ahead 2-0, Astros' Nolan Ryan facing 8-9-1
b2 2-0 0 --- ATL R. Ramirez N. Ryan 2% 79% Single to LF
b2 2-0 0 1-- O ATL P. Niekro N. Ryan -1% 78% Bunt Groundout: 1B unassisted/Sacrifice; Ramirez to 2B
b2 2-0 1 -2- ATL E. Miller N. Ryan 3% 81% Single to 1B; Ramirez to 3B
b2 2-0 1 1-3 O ATL B. Butler N. Ryan -5% 76% Miller Caught Stealing 2B (C-2B-1B)
b2 2-0 2 --3 ATL B. Butler N. Ryan 1% 76% Walk
b2 2-0 2 1-3 RRR ATL B. Horner N. Ryan 16% 93% Home Run; Ramirez Scores; Butler Scores
b2 5-0 2 --- O ATL C. Chambliss N. Ryan -0% 92% Flyball: 2B
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Top of the 3rd, Astros Batting, Behind 0-5, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 7-8-9
t3 0-5 0 --- HOU A. Ashby P. Niekro -2% 90% Walk
t3 0-5 0 1-- O HOU C. Reynolds P. Niekro 2% 92% Flyball: 2B
t3 0-5 1 1-- HOU N. Ryan P. Niekro -2% 90% Single to CF; Ashby to 2B
t3 0-5 1 12- O HOU T. Scott P. Niekro 3% 92% Groundout: P-SS/Forceout at 2B
t3 0-5 2 12- O HOU P. Garner P. Niekro 2% 95% Flyball: RF
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Bottom of the 3rd, Braves Batting, Ahead 5-0, Astros' Nolan Ryan facing 5-6-7
b3 5-0 0 --- ATL D. Murphy N. Ryan 1% 95% Single to CF
b3 5-0 0 1-- ATL G. Hubbard N. Ryan 1% 96% Single to LF; Murphy to 2B
b3 5-0 0 12- O ATL B. Benedict N. Ryan 0% 96% Groundout: P-1B; Murphy to 3B; Hubbard to 2B
b3 5-0 1 -23 O ATL R. Ramirez N. Ryan -2% 95% Fielder's Choice 3B; Murphy out at Hm/3B-C; Hubbard to 3B
b3 5-0 2 1-3 O ATL P. Niekro N. Ryan -1% 94% Lineout: SS
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Top of the 4th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-5, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 3-4-5
t4 0-5 0 --- O HOU D. Walling P. Niekro 1% 95% Groundout: SS-1B
t4 0-5 1 --- HOU J. Cruz P. Niekro -1% 93% Walk
t4 0-5 1 1-- HOU H. Spilman P. Niekro -2% 91% Single to LF; Cruz to 2B
t4 0-5 1 12- HOU A. Howe P. Niekro -4% 87% Single to CF; Cruz to 3B; Spilman to 2B
t4 0-5 1 123 OO HOU A. Ashby P. Niekro 8% 96% Ground Ball Double Play: 1B-C-1B
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Bottom of the 4th, Braves Batting, Ahead 5-0, Astros' Nolan Ryan facing 1-2-3
b4 5-0 0 --- ATL E. Miller N. Ryan 1% 96% Walk
b4 5-0 0 1-- ATL B. Butler N. Ryan 0% 97% Miller Steals 2B
b4 5-0 0 -2- ATL B. Butler N. Ryan 0% 97% Walk
b4 5-0 0 12- O ATL B. Horner N. Ryan -1% 96% Flyball: 1B
b4 5-0 1 12- O ATL C. Chambliss N. Ryan -1% 96% Foul Flyball: 3B
b4 5-0 2 12- O ATL D. Murphy N. Ryan -1% 95% Foul Flyball: 1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Top of the 5th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-5, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 8-9-1
t5 0-5 0 --- O HOU C. Reynolds P. Niekro 1% 96% Flyball: SS
Joe Pittman pinch hits for Nolan Ryan (P) batting 9th
t5 0-5 1 --- O HOU J. Pittman P. Niekro 1% 97% Flyball: RF
t5 0-5 2 --- HOU T. Scott P. Niekro -1% 96% Double to LF
t5 0-5 2 -2- HOU P. Garner P. Niekro -1% 95% Walk
t5 0-5 2 12- O HOU D. Walling P. Niekro 2% 97% Strikeout
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Bottom of the 5th, Braves Batting, Ahead 5-0, Astros' Gordie Pladson facing 6-7-8
Gordie Pladson replaces Joe Pittman (PH) pitching and batting 9th
b5 5-0 0 --- O ATL G. Hubbard G. Pladson -0% 97% Flyball: CF
b5 5-0 1 --- O ATL B. Benedict G. Pladson -0% 96% Groundout: SS-1B
b5 5-0 2 --- ATL R. Ramirez G. Pladson 0% 97% Triple to LF
b5 5-0 2 --3 O ATL P. Niekro G. Pladson -0% 96% Strikeout
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Top of the 6th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-5, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 4-5-6
t6 0-5 0 --- O HOU J. Cruz P. Niekro 1% 97% Groundout: 2B-P
t6 0-5 1 --- O HOU H. Spilman P. Niekro 1% 98% Flyball: RF
t6 0-5 2 --- O HOU A. Howe P. Niekro 0% 98% Groundout: 3B-1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Bottom of the 6th, Braves Batting, Ahead 5-0, Astros' Gordie Pladson facing 1-2-3
b6 5-0 0 --- O ATL E. Miller G. Pladson -0% 98% Flyball: RF
b6 5-0 1 --- O ATL B. Butler G. Pladson -0% 98% Groundout: SS-1B
b6 5-0 2 --- ATL B. Horner G. Pladson 0% 98% Walk
b6 5-0 2 1-- ATL C. Chambliss G. Pladson 0% 98% Double to RF; Horner to 3B
b6 5-0 2 -23 O ATL D. Murphy G. Pladson -0% 98% Flyball: RF
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Top of the 7th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-5, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 7-8-9
t7 0-5 0 --- O HOU A. Ashby P. Niekro 1% 98% Groundout: 1B-P
t7 0-5 1 --- HOU C. Reynolds P. Niekro -1% 97% Single to LF
Danny Heep pinch hits for Gordie Pladson (P) batting 9th
t7 0-5 1 1-- O HOU D. Heep P. Niekro 1% 98% Groundout: 1B-2B-P; Reynolds to 2B
t7 0-5 2 -2- O HOU T. Scott P. Niekro 1% 99% Flyball: LF
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 5.
Bottom of the 7th, Braves Batting, Ahead 5-0, Astros' Bobby Sprowl facing 6-7-8
Bobby Sprowl replaces Danny Heep (PH) pitching and batting 9th
b7 5-0 0 --- ATL G. Hubbard B. Sprowl 0% 99% Single to SS; Hubbard to 2B/Adv on E6 (throw to 1B)
b7 5-0 0 -2- O ATL B. Benedict B. Sprowl -0% 99% Bunt Groundout: P-1B/Sacrifice; Hubbard to 3B
b7 5-0 1 --3 R ATL R. Ramirez B. Sprowl 0% 100% Single to LF; Hubbard Scores
b7 6-0 1 1-- O ATL P. Niekro B. Sprowl -0% 99% Strikeout
b7 6-0 2 1-- O ATL E. Miller B. Sprowl -0% 99% Groundout: 2B-1B
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 6.
Top of the 8th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-6, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 2-3-4
t8 0-6 0 --- O HOU P. Garner P. Niekro 0% 100% Flyball: CF
t8 0-6 1 --- O HOU D. Walling P. Niekro 0% 100% Groundout: 2B-1B
t8 0-6 2 --- O HOU J. Cruz P. Niekro 0% 100% Groundout: 2B-1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 6.
Bottom of the 8th, Braves Batting, Ahead 6-0, Astros' Bobby Sprowl facing 2-3-4
b8 6-0 0 --- ATL B. Butler B. Sprowl 0% 100% Single to SS
b8 6-0 0 1-- O ATL B. Horner B. Sprowl -0% 100% Flyball: 2B
b8 6-0 1 1-- ATL C. Chambliss B. Sprowl 0% 100% Single to RF; Butler to 3B
b8 6-0 1 1-3 R ATL D. Murphy B. Sprowl 0% 100% Single to LF; Butler Scores; Chambliss to 2B
b8 7-0 1 12- O ATL G. Hubbard B. Sprowl -0% 100% Flyball: CF
b8 7-0 2 12- ATL B. Benedict B. Sprowl 0% 100% Walk; Chambliss to 3B; Murphy to 2B
b8 7-0 2 123 RR ATL R. Ramirez B. Sprowl 0% 100% Single to LF; Chambliss Scores; Murphy Scores; Benedict to 2B
b8 9-0 2 12- O ATL P. Niekro B. Sprowl 0% 100% Strikeout
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 9.
Top of the 9th, Astros Batting, Behind 0-9, Braves' Phil Niekro facing 5-6-7
t9 0-9 0 --- HOU H. Spilman P. Niekro -0% 100% Single to RF
Mike Ivie pinch hits for Art Howe (3B) batting 6th
t9 0-9 0 1-- HOU M. Ivie P. Niekro -0% 100% Single to CF; Spilman to 2B
t9 0-9 0 12- O HOU A. Ashby P. Niekro 0% 100% Groundout: 2B-SS/Forceout at 2B; Spilman to 3B
t9 0-9 1 1-3 O HOU C. Reynolds P. Niekro 0% 100% Flyball: RF
Tim Tolman pinch hits for Bobby Sprowl (P) batting 9th
t9 0-9 2 1-3 O HOU T. Tolman P. Niekro 0% 100% Groundout: SS-2B/Forceout at 2B
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Astros 0, Braves 9.

Retrosheet.org Boxscore:ATL198109090
BackToBaseball.com Game Playback

  • Score- The score from the perspective of the batting team.
  • RoB- This gives the baserunner (Runners on Base) configuration at the start of the play. "1-3" would mean runners on first and third. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play.
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  • R/O- This has a "O" for every out on the play and an "R" for every run that scored on the play. Some plays will have both in no particular order.
  • Batter- The batter at the plate when this play occurred. If the play is a baserunning event, then the batter's name will be repeated as indicated by quotes.
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  • wWPA- Winning Team's Win Probability Added. The amount that this play increased or decreased the eventual winning team's probability of winning the game. More About Win Probability Added
  • wWE- Winning Team's Win Expectancy. The probability of the eventual winning team winning the game prior to this play given two average teams playing each other. More About Win Probability Added
  • Play Detail- This is an explanation of the play that occurred. In some cases, batted ball location and type will be indicated within parentheses. Again, these are best efforts to the record the game as it happened. Also, plays made on the baserunners (including the batter as a baserunner) will be indicated in parentheses after the baserunner's name. Advancement of baserunners is given in cases where the advancement is not easily deduced or obvious from the play. For example, advancement for a walk will not be given, but for a single or double it will be given.

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