Wine’s Braves Still Undefeated; Cubs Fall, 9-6

The Atlanta Braves are a perfect 4-0 under interim skipper Bobby Wine after they outlasted the Chicago Cubs, 9-6, Thursday.

But they are also 4-0 since Bruce Benedict has gotten the daily catching assignment.

Benedict, who had driven in just 10 runs all year, drove in four, including an unusual three-run single in the sixth inning, to lead the Braves to their fourth straight victory. The catcher also drove in a run in a five-run eighth.

“When I took over, we didn’t have a regular catcher,” said Wine, who took over for the fired Eddie Haas earlier in the week. “For some reason, I don’t know why, I put Bruce’s name on the lineup. He’s done a very good job for us.”

Benedict, who alternated the catching chores with Rick Cerone, said playing every day has sharpened his eye.

“You want to have the opportunity to play everyday. It’s been refreshing for us now. It’s like a new start,” Benedict said.

The Braves’ catcher delivered a bases-clearing single off reliever Warren Brusstar in the sixth to give Atlanta 4-2 lead. He added a run-batted in on a grounder that third baseman Ron Cey threw late to second trying to force the runner with the bases loaded in the eighth.

“I haven’t had four RBI in a game but once or twice in my career,” Benedict said. “I don’t recall ever having a three-run single.

The Braves started the rally when Dale Murphy, who had three hits, singled off loser Lary Sorensen, 3-6. Terry Harper drew a one out walk--one of 10 passes issued by six Cubs’ pitchers--and Claudell Washington was intentionally walked with two outs.

Brusstar relieved with a count of 2-0 and after the count went to 3-2, Benedict singled to left clearing the bases.

“What did we give up, 10 walks?” asked Cubs’ manager Jim Frey, whose team has lost three straight. “We thought we would have a chance if we could get into their bullpen. It didn’t quite work out that way.”

Steve Trout allowed only three hits over five innings and left with the score tied at 1-1. But the Cubs’ bullpen was touched for eight runs.

Rick Mahler, 17-12, went the first 5 innings, but the Cubs roughed up the Atlanta bullpen for four runs, including four off Bruce Sutter.

Leon Durham drove in five runs with a solo homer in the fifth that tied the score, a three-run shot off Sutter in the eighth and a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.

“I know I’ve had the opportunities,” said Durham, the subject of trade rumors. “I know that as long as I’m a Cub, I’m going to do the best job I can for this club.”

The Cubs had the bases loaded after Durham drew the intentional walk off reliever Terry Forster. But Jeff Dedmon came in to relieve and got Jody Davis to fly out.

Ryne Sandberg had three hits, scored two runs and was robbed twice of hits by fine fielding plays by the Braves’ infield.

Bob Horner drove in the Braves’ first run with a RBI single in the first.

In the five-run eighth, pinch-hitter Chris Chambliss drew a bases loaded walk after Benedict’s grounder and Rafael Ramirez followed with a two-run double. Glenn Hubbard capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.