Dodgers take 2 of 3 at Launching Pad

8/7-8/9 - Atlanta Fulton County Stadium
Dodgers 19, Braves 9
Fernando Valenzuela vs Tom Glavine
Neither lefty had much to offer in this slugfest where the "Launching Pad" shone through as the day's true star.  The Dodgers posted a 12 run 6th inning to more than overcome the 3 run deficit that they faced.  37 hits in total were posted on the day.  Maury Wills had a unique 4 hit / 3 error day.  Steve Garvey posted 5 RBI's, three of which came on a huge homer off Rick Camp in that fateful 6th.  Don Newcombe bailed out Fernando with 3 2/3 quality innings of work.  Rick Camp was victimized for 7 runs in 2/3 innings.  Gene Garber gave up 5 in 1/3.  Roy Campanella had 4 hits himself with 3 RBI's.

Dodgers 9, Braves 5
Orel Hershiser vs Lew Burdette
Kudos to the "bulldog", Orel Hershiser for gutting his way through almost 7 innings vs a tough lineup in a ballpark that was playing smaller than Wrigley with the wind blowing out.  The Dodgers needed a 4 run 8th to put the game away.  Pee Wee Reese started at short and continued the Dodgers tradition of shortstops making errors and getting hits.  Reese banged out 3 hits and knocked in 2 runs to go along with just 1 error.  Gil Hodges and Duke Snider each hit homers to show the Boys of Summer have muscle.

Braves 6, Dodgers 4
Preacher Roe vs Phil Niekro
Without Niekro these Braves just don't seem to win much.  Thankfully the knuckleball ace was on the mound and was able to ride the coat tails of a grand slam by Del Crandall in the 4th.  A pinch hit 2 out 2 run double by Eddie Mathews in the bottom of the 8th provided the much needed insurance to keep those high scoring Dodgers at bay.  Jackie Robinson's pinch hit homer in the 9th off of Cecil Upshaw threw a scare into the crowd, but Upshaw was able to cut the Dodger rally down after Steve Sax and Duke Snider reached base with 2 out.  A grounder to third by Gil Hodges ended it.  Sax had 3 hits in a rare start at second for the blue and white.