You Are Here > Baseball-Reference.com > Box Scores > 1981 > Sep 9, 1981, Astros at Braves Play by Play and Box Score

View a short video showing advanced box score features / click orange/red text for additional info

CLE  8
@BAL  5

SEA  3
@CHW  1

BOS  6
@DET  5

(11)
KCR  7
CAL  3

MIN  3
TOR  1

NYY  5
MIL  2

MIL  5
@NYY  3

TEX  9
@OAK  4

ATL  9
HOU  0
CIN  5
SDP  4

SFG  6
@LAD  3

(11)
PHI 11
MON  8

NYM  5
@PIT  3

CHC  7
@STL  3

Standings at end of play this day

Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Attendance: 4,482

Wednesday, September 9, 1981
Time of Game: 2:34
Astros
0
47-40
Lost 2
3rd, 7 GB
                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
W: Phil Niekro (7-5), L: Nolan Ryan (8-4)
Braves
9
41-42
Won 2
5th, 11 GB

Batting Stats

Houston Astros               AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
T Scott CF                    4   0   1   0    0   0  .256  .637              2   0   2B
P Garner 2B                   3   0   0   0    1   0  .237  .609              2   2   
D Walling RF                  4   0   0   0    0   1  .244  .732              2   0   
J Cruz LF                     3   0   0   0    1   0  .264  .743              0   0   
H Spilman 1B                  4   0   3   0    0   0  .311  .701              9   0   CS
A Howe 3B                     3   0   1   0    0   1  .317  .816              1   1   
  M Ivie PH                   1   0   1   0    0   0  .263  .630              0   0   
A Ashby C                     3   0   0   0    1   0  .277  .714              7   1   GDP
C Reynolds SS                 4   0   1   0    0   0  .245  .649              1   2   
N Ryan P                      1   0   1   0    0   0  .216  .509              0   1   
  J Pittman PH                1   0   0   0    0   0  .276  .670              0   0   
  G Pladson P                 0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   0   
  D Heep PH                   1   0   0   0    0   0  .225  .553              0   0   
  B Sprowl P                  0   0   0   0    0   0  .167  .333              0   1   
  T Tolman PH                 1   0   0   0    0   0  .000  .000              0   0   
Totals                       33   0   8   0    3   2                         24   8
Batting Events
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 Events
E: C Reynolds (10).
Baserunning Events
CS: H Spilman (1, 2nd base by P Niekro/B Benedict).
Atlanta Braves               AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
E Miller RF                   4   0   1   0    1   1  .231  .553              4   0   SB,CS
B Butler LF                   3   2   1   0    2   1  .233  .683              2   0   
B Horner 3B                   4   2   2   3    1   0  .273  .761              0   1   HR
C Chambliss 1B                4   2   2   0    1   0  .275  .764              5   3   2B
D Murphy CF                   4   1   2   1    1   0  .262  .711              3   0   
G Hubbard 2B                  5   1   3   2    0   0  .258  .708              4   5   
B Benedict C                  3   0   0   0    1   1  .259  .693              3   2   SH
R Ramirez SS                  5   1   4   3    0   0  .216  .564              3   2   3B
P Niekro P                    4   0   0   0    0   3  .068  .136              3   1   SH
Totals                       36   9  15   0    7   6                         27  14
Batting Events
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 Events
DP: 2. B Benedict-G Hubbard; C Chambliss-B Benedict-C Chambliss.
Baserunning Events
SB: E Miller (21, 2nd base off N Ryan/A Ashby).
CS: E Miller (4, 2nd base by N Ryan/A Ashby).

Pitching Stats

Houston Astros                IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
N Ryan, L (8-4)                4     7   5   5    5   3   1   1.63   23     -       ·  ·      3· 5· 1· 7     26    -     0.72  -0.32
G Pladson                      2     2   0   0    1   1   0   0.00    9     -       ·  ·      2· 3· 0· 2          0-0    0.13   0.01
B Sprowl                       2     6   4   4    1   2   0   6.18   13     -       ·  ·      2· 2· 0· 6          0-0    0.03  -0.01
Totals                         8    15   9   9    7   6   1          45     -       ·  ·      7·10· 1·15           -  
Atlanta Braves                IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
P Niekro, W (7-5)              9     8   0   0    3   2   0   2.99   36     -       ·  ·     11·12· 0· 8     70    -     0.52   0.19
Totals                         9     8   0   0    3   2   0          36     -       ·  ·     11·12· 0· 8           -  
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.

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

Top 5 Plays

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

Play By Play

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

Retrosheet.org Boxscore:ATL198109090

Play-by-Play Explanation

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Pit- When available, the number of pitches in this plate appearance. Clicking on this number will show the sequence of pitches thrown including, when available, things like runner going, ball blocked, attempted pickoffs and the like. We believe this data to be as accurate as humanly possible, but there are going to be some errors in the data, so please take it with a grain of salt. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play.
  • 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
  • Score- The score from the perspective of the batting team.
  • 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.
  • Pitcher- The pitcher on the mound when this play occurred.
  • 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.

Please report any issues or strangeness you see with the description of plays given above. We have tested several hundred different types of plays, but, in all likelihood, there are still some errors or misinterpretations of the play-by-play data.

The play-by-play information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet.

In some cases, the results from play-by-play data will contradict results in the official record. The official record has many, many errors, but we have not undertaken to reconcile those errors. Pitch-by-pitch data should not be taken as completely accurate, though we believe it to be as accurate as is currently possible.

Box scores and play-by-play outputs produced by Sports Reference LLC. All Rights Reserved.