Ramirez, Braves Throw it Away as Reds Rally to Win

A throwing error by Atlanta shortstop Rafael Ramirez enabled Buddy Bell to score from second base in the 11th inning as the Cincinnati Reds salvaged the final game of a three-game series with a 9-8 victory over the Braves at Cincinnati Thursday.

Atlanta appeared headed for a sweep of the series after pitcher David Palmer hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run fourth and Ozzie Virgil added a solo homer in the sixth. That gave the Braves an 8-2 lead.

But the Reds came back to tie the score with two runs in the seventh inning and four runs in the ninth, including Eric Davis’ three-run homer. Cincinnati had a chance to win in the ninth, but Kal Daniels hit into a double play with the bases loaded.

Bell opened the 11th inning with a single to right and took second on a balk by loser Steve Ziem, who was making his major-league debut. Ed Olwine then replaced Ziem and got Terry Francona to ground to Ramirez at short. But Ramirez, trying to get Bell at third, threw low past third baseman Ken Oberkfell and allowed Bell to score the winning run.

“My bad base running backfired (to the good),” Bell said of his decision to try for third. “I’d like to call it aggressive. I hate to admit it, but that wasn’t very smart base running.”