It’s a Brave Old World: Atlanta Repeats in West

The Atlanta Braves became the first National League West team to repeat as champions in 14 years, clinching the title Tuesday night and setting up a rematch of last year’s playoff series with Pittsburgh.

The Braves won their fourth division title by beating San Francisco, 6-0, at Atlanta as the Reds lost to the Dodgers, 5-0, in Cincinnati.

“Good ballclub,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said. “They should have won, and they did. They played great all season long. Last year was great. This year is just as great.”

The Braves’ Charlie Leibrandt (14-7) pitched his second shutout, the 23rd by the Braves. Ron Gant’s 17th homer in the second inning provided the margin of victory, and Atlanta broke the game open with a four-run fourth.

A sellout crowd of 40,860 watched the Braves become the first NL West winner to repeat since the Dodgers in 1977-78. Atlanta’s other division crowns came in 1969--the first year of divisional play--and 1982.

“The fans were excited and I was, too,” Leibrandt said. “The closer it got, the more excited I got. I’m going to savor this awhile and start thinking about Pittsburgh in a couple of days.”

On Oct. 6, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium figures to be sold out again when the Braves start the playoffs at home against Pittsburgh. Last October, Atlanta beat the Pirates in seven games, winning the last two at Three Rivers Stadium.

Bud Black (10-12) lost his sixth straight decision. Gant’s homer was the 23rd off Black this year, most in the league.

St. Louis 2, Montreal 1--Bob Tewksbury climbed back into the race for the major league ERA title and Rod Brewer singled home pinch-runner Rex Hudler with the winning run in the 10th inning at St. Louis.

Mike Perez (9-3), the fourth Cardinal pitcher, got the last out for the win.

Tewksbury allowed one run in seven innings and lowered his ERA three points to 2.16, four points behind Bill Swift of San Francisco. Swift, who is finishing the season in the bullpen, needs one more inning to qualify for the title.

This was Tewksbury’s final start, although Manager Joe Torre said he’d give him some innings the final weekend if there was a chance to win the ERA title.

Pittsburgh 3, Chicago 0--The Pirates won their sixth in a row as Andy Van Slyke hit a two-run homer and four Pirate pitchers combined for a two-hitter at Chicago.

It was eighth consecutive defeat for the Cubs, extending their longest losing streak of the season.

Van Slyke, locked in a four-way battle for the batting title, hit his 14th homer in the fourth inning after Jay Bell had singled.

Zane Smith started for Pittsburgh and allowed one hit in three innings in his first outing since suffering inflammation of his left (pitching) shoulder Aug. 14.

“It felt good,” said Smith. “I was happy I was able to throw strikes.”

Smith was perfect except for a single by Luis Salazar, who was then erased in a double play. The only other Cub hit was a single by Ryne Sandberg off Paul Wagner.

Houston 6, San Diego 5--Luis Gonzalez’s two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Astros the victory.

Rafael Ramirez led off the Houston ninth with a single off Randy Myers. Craig Biggio sacrificed. After Steve Finley walked, Gonzalez lined a double into left-center.

Gary Sheffield drove in his 100th run for the Padres.

Philadelphia 5, New York 3--Reliever Anthony Young’s wild throw on a sacrifice bunt sparked a three-run rally at New York and helped Young (2-14) lose his 14th consecutive decision.

Bret Saberhagen, bidding for his first victory since May 15 in an injury-interrupted season, held the Phillies to two runs on six hits in eight innings before Young (2-14) came on to start the ninth.