Tuesday, August 10, 1999Braves 5, Astros 3
BY PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports WriterATLANTA — Pascual Matos, denied a three-run homer when the umpires reversed a call, followed with a two-run single in the eighth inning for his first major league hit, giving the Atlanta Braves a 5-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday night.
The Braves reclaimed first in the NL East by a half-game over the New York Mets, who were routed 9-2 by Los Angeles.
Matos was called up from Triple-A Richmond last weekend when Eddie Perez dropped his appeal of four-game suspension. Though certain to go back to the minors after Perez returns, Matos provided one of the most memorable moments of the season after entering the game when the Braves used a pinch-runner for starting catcher Greg Myers.
Matos, who was 0-for-7 in his major league career, batted against Doug Henry (1-2) with one out in the eighth and runners at second and third in a 3-3 game.
On the first pitch, Matos sent a towering drive down the left-field line that was ruled a homer by third-base umpire Larry Vanover.
While Matos celebrated in the dugout, the Astros argued the call with the entire umpiring crew. After a brief discussion, they called Matos back from the dugout, saying the ball had hooked just outside the foul pole.
Television replays were inconclusive, but Braves manager Bobby Cox, with a good view of the ball from the first-base dugout, argued only briefly.
Matos wasn't through, however. He lined a single past a diving Russ Johnson at third, scoring Ryan Klesko and Andruw Jones to break the tie.
John Rocker worked the ninth for his 23rd save.
Braves starter John Smoltz had a chance to pick up his first win since June 18, despite giving up 11 hits in seven innings. Trailing 2-1, Atlanta rallied for two runs in the seventh on Gerald Williams' sacrifice fly and a two-out single by Chipper Jones.
But Rudy Seanez (6-1) couldn't hold the lead in the eighth. Carl Everett led off with a double, tagged up and moved to third on a fly to right, then scored on Paul Bako's sacrifice fly.
Center fielder Andruw Jones made a strong throw to the plate, but it was slightly up the line and Everett was able to slip past Matos with a head-first slide.
Jones made a spectacular play in the third against Bill Spiers to prevent a big Houston inning. Running toward the wall in the deepest part of Turner Field with his back to the plate, Jones jumped in the air and grabbed the liner a split-second before landing feet-first against the wall, his cleat prints embedded in the padding.
The Astros still managed to go ahead 1-0 on Everett's two-out single, but the lead would have been bigger if not for Jones' catch.
Atlanta tied it up in the bottom of the third against Chris Holt. Ryan Klesko came through with his own two-out single, scoring Keith Lockhart from second.
Houston, which had at least two hits in four of Smoltz's seven innings, went back ahead in the sixth. With a runner at third, two outs and the pitcher up next, Smoltz made a major blunder with an 0-2 pitch, leaving a breaking ball over the outside corner to Tim Bogar. The shortstop lined a hit to center, scoring Everett for a 2-1 lead.
Smoltz, who has struggled most of the season with a sore elbow, has suffered three losses and four no-decisions since beating Arizona with six shutout innings nearly two months ago.
During his winless streak — which included a stint on the disabled list — he has struggled to a 4.07 ERA in 42 innings. Notes: Williams extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games. ... Jose Hernandez started again at shortstop for the Braves, who are seeking to bolster their offense. Walt Weiss was used as a pinch-runner and remained in the game, while Ozzie Guillen came on as a pinch-hitter. ... The Astros have averaged only 3.1 runs in Holt's 11 losses, compared to 5.1 in all games.
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