The '57 Milwaukee Braves ran their record to 3-0 to start the season with a 5-4 win over the Reds at County Stadium. They had a 5-1 lead late and held off the Reds.
The early lead was created when Brooks Lawrence walked Hank Aaron and Eddie Matthews with one out. A two-out triple by Bobby Thomson drove in both future hall of famers. Johnny Logan's single made it 3-0.
Del Crandall homered off Lawrence with one out in the second inning and the Reds went to the bullpen. You will notice that at this point in time baseball was very different. Because, the reliever for the Reds after Lawrence lasted just 1-1/3 innings was Hal Jeffcoat. The same Hal Jeffcoat who had pitched seven innings against the Braves just two days earlier. Jeffcoat got the final two outs of the inning.
In the top of the third, Jeffcoat was supposed to lead off, but Don Pavletich made his major league debut by pinch hitting and grounding out. Frank Robinson, who was leading off for the Reds, singled against Milwaukee starter Ray Crone and scored on a two out double by George Crowe.
The score remained 4-1 Braves until the bottom of the sixth. Crandall started another rally. This time with a one out single. Crone sacrificed him to second. Danny O'Connell doubled him in for a 5-1 lead.
Cincinnati got a home run from Wally Post in the top of the seventh. Then, Crowe homered off Crone in the eighth. Johnny Temple doubled with two out and Gus Bell singled him in to maked the score 5-4. Red Murff relieved Crone and got Post to ground into a force out.
In the top of the ninth, Pete Whisenant doubled to start the frame. Ted Kluszewski pinch hit and sent a deep fly ball to right that Aaron caught at the fence. Whisenant moved to third with Robinson coming to the plate. Murff got Robinson to tap back to the mound. Smoky Burgess was the last chance for the Reds and he popped out to Matthews at third to end the game.
The Braves are tied with the 3-0 Brooklyn Dodgers at the top of the National League after the win on April 20.
Complete box score and play-by-play are HERE.
Next up for the Braves is the final game of the series with the Reds. Warren Spahn gets the ball for the Braves. Johnny Klippstein is the starter for the Reds.
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