Braves Remind Reds That It’s Not Quite Over in the NL West, 10-0

Everybody keeps telling the Cincinnati Reds they have won the National League West title. They aren’t quite ready to claim it.

The Atlanta Braves put on a demonstration of power hitting and pitching Tuesday night at Cincinnati and rocked the Reds, 10-0.

Sensational rookie Dave Justice hit a grand slam and Ron Gant hit a home run to join the 30-30 club as the Braves made it easy for Tom Glavine (10-11). Glavine gave up five hits in seven innings to end the Reds’ four-game winning streak.

With the Dodgers winning at Houston, the Reds’ lead was cut to 3 1/2 games and their magic number remains at five.

Justice’s grand slam, his 28th home run of the season and 23rd since the All-Star break, climaxed a six-run fifth that blew away the Reds and Norm Charlton (12-8). Gant became the 13th player to get 30 home runs and 30 steals in a season.

“We came off a hot series in San Diego where we won four and let down,” Manager Lou Piniella said. “We’re not taking anything for granted. We know the Dodgers won’t quit. So we have to go out there and win five of the eight games left.”

The one Red who thinks it’s over is their one hot pitcher, Jose Rijo. “It’s over,” he said.