Jordan Wins It After Weiss Gets Save for Braves

The Houston Astros want Brian Jordan to know that it’s really not personal, it’s only business.

Jordan doesn’t care. He has been stewing because the Astros are pitching around Chipper Jones to face him in the National League division series, and the offended Atlanta Brave right fielder has vowed to make a strong statement.

He kept his word in the Braves’ 5-3, 12-inning victory in Game 3 on Friday at the Astrodome--hitting a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth and a game-winning, two-run double in the 12th to cap the intense 4-hour 19-minute battle.

The Braves took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, and Jordan continued to make his point.

“This is what I play for and this is what I strive for,” said Jordan, who went three for five with five runs batted in. “I thrive under pressure, and what they’re doing [preferring to face him] is a challenge to me.”

Jordan drove in Otis Nixon and Bret Boone with his double into the right-field corner against Astro reliever Jay Powell, giving the Braves a two-run lead after both teams escaped emotional bases-loaded, 10th-inning jams to preserve a 3-3 tie. Then Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox kept his word, making bold moves to secure the pivotal victory.

Cox used starter Kevin Millwood on one day’s rest to finish the game after also using Greg Maddux on two days’ rest in the seventh. Millwood followed his one-hitter Wednesday with a stirring relief appearance, pitching a perfect 12th while his fastball was clocked at 95 mph.

The seventh Atlanta pitcher, Millwood earned the save for closer John Rocker. Rocker deftly emerged unscathed from a none-out, bases-full jam with the help of a sensational play by shortstop Walt Weiss before a stunned crowd of 48,625.

“Weiss just made an great play,” Astro second baseman Craig Biggio said. “I mean, if that ball is just another inch, he doesn’t get to it. That one was tough, but it was just a great play.”

Reliever Russ Springer walked Jeff Bagwell to start Houston’s half of the 10th. Ken Caminiti, the Astros’ main offensive force in the series, singled through the hole between first and second, and Bagwell stopped at second.

Stan Javier laid down a bunt that went between Springer and first baseman Ryan Klesko, and neither made the play. That confusion created the none-out, bases-loaded mess.

Rocker entered the stressful situation knowing that the game would probably end if the Astros hit a ball out of the infield.

They didn’t.

With the infield in, Carl Everett grounded to Klesko, who threw to catcher Eddie Perez to force Bagwell at the plate. Then Weiss made the play of the postseason, fielding Tony Eusebio’s shot through the middle on one hop, springing to his feet and throwing sidearm to Perez to force Caminiti.

Rocker then struck out Ricky Gutierrez for the final out in the Braves’ emotionally charged defensive stand.

“Unbelievable,” Astro Manager Larry Dierker said. “That’s one where you just put your glove out and hope it goes in.

“I would say, even with a fielder of his caliber, probably 80% of the time you don’t get lucky like that. Incredible.”

Now, the Astros are up against another playoff wall. In the five-year history of the division series, the NL’s Game 3 winners have won every series.

“I told Brian [after the game] that we would never play in a better ballgame,” Cox said. “We came from behind then we got tied up. They had the bases loaded, no outs. We had the bases loaded here and there, and nobody could score. Each team made good plays.

“Between our pitching staff, and Brian and Walt’s play, that was, you know, an unbelievable game. I don’t think we will ever be in another ballgame like that. Ever.”

The Astros issued a challenge when they decided to work around Jones, and Jordan gladly accepted.

“And they just added to the challenge last night [Thursday] when they were getting interviewed on ESPN,” Jordan said. “They were saying how they weren’t going to let Chipper beat them, and I think any player would be offended by those comments.

“Like I said, I looked at it like a challenge. I usually have a lot of success in situations like this.”

He has against the Astros.

Jordan drove in two runs during the Braves’ 5-1 victory Wednesday, and he made things even more difficult for the Astros on Friday.

The Astros have been working around Jones--the Braves’ No. 3 batter--because the switch-hitter hit 45 homers and is expected to be selected the NL most valuable player.

Jordan also had a big season with a team-leading 115 RBIs, but the cleanup batter was slowed after the All-Star break because of a deep right-wrist bruise.

He’s apparently feeling much better now.

Jordan hit a three-run homer in the sixth against Astro starter Mike Hampton on the first pitch after Jones walked to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. Atlanta starter Tom Glavine struggled in the first and gave up two runs, but regained his form and left with the lead after a solid six-inning outing.

Nixon, who ran for Gerald Williams in the 10th, singled to left to start the 12th against Powell. Boone then singled to right, putting runners on first and second with Jones on deck.

Jones advanced the runners with a groundout and Jordan came to the plate with first base open. Dierker decided to pitch to Jordan, who made Houston pay.