European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 07, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Braves Clinch it by Tim Layden new Day Atlanta a at 5 23 on a saturday afternoon a time customarily reserved in Glove. Braves rushed to form a silly pulsing Thicket in the Small Green Patch of grass Between the pitchers Mound and first base at Fulton county stadium. A 5-2 win Over the Houston astros was secure the braves eighth consecutive win in the 161st game of the season. A title was nearly won. A stadium a and a people a unaccustomed to such achievement by its baseball team quivered with approval. Then there was a pause As an image appeared on the television screen above the Centerfield Fence. The braves who led the los Angeles dodgers by one game before the afternoons play would be champions of the no West Only if the san Francisco giants also beat the dodgers. The fans 44,994 of them clapped rhythmically and did their Tomahawk Deal. In the pause they thought of what had so nearly been done. From last place with 97 losses to first with an Atlanta record 94 victories and counting. Justice the then idol outfielder recalled the summer of 1987, when Greenville . Won a double a title with Many of these same players As teen agers. A i just knew we could do this on the major league level a he said. A standing there we were All reminded of that. Look How far we be come a they waited. 5 245 25an image of dodger manager Tommy Lasorda on the big screen 50 feet High. Boos. 5 26now Darryl Strawberry a face. Louder Boos. 5 27a ground Ball and a title clinched. The braves streamed toward their dug out Many throwing their hats into the seats As they ran Down the Steps toward the clubhouse. Not since 1982 had the braves won a division title. They had finished fifth or last for six consecutive years without winning More than 72 games. Now they will play for a Pennant beginning wednesday in Pittsburgh. Center fielder Ron Gant who hit his 32nd Home run in the fifth inning and who has been with the braves for parts of five seasons said a a in a one of the Guys in this room who a been through the Good and the bad. This is the Best of the Good. We Shook up the  Atlanta Catcher Greg Olson and Pitcher John Smoltz celebrate braves Victory. In other major league games. From wire reports Minnesota a Scott Erickson joined Detroit a Bill Gullickson As the Only american league 20-game winners As the twins stopped the Blue jays 3-1 in the metro Doc. The win snapped Juan Guzman a 10-game winning Streak. At Anaheim California left hander Jim Abbott won his 18th decision As the Angels stopped Kansas City 5-1. In other Al games Oakland pounded inside sports Florida state rocks Syracuse a Page 21 huskies walk Over Arizona a Page 22 Whitaker retains title Page 25 Luyendyk makes off with win a Page 27 Host Texas 12-5 Baltimore won its next to last game at memorial stadium with a 7-3 decision Over Detroit Milwaukee dumped Boston 13-4 at Fenway Seattle blanked Chicago 10-0 at the kingdom and visiting Cleveland nipped new York 7-5 in 12 innings. In the National league san Diego a Dann Bilardello drove in three runs and Tim Teufel two As the padres rapped out 17 hits in beating the reeling reds 10-7 at riverfront stadium. The stars and stripes october 7,1991 Page 28 dodgers shut out at stick from wire reports san Francisco a the dodgers dream of a Pennant died saturday at candlestick Park. Los Angeles lost for the second time in less than 20 hours and was eliminated from the no West race with a 4-0 loss to the san Francisco giants. The amazing Atlanta braves clinched the division with a 5-2 Victory Over visiting Houston. The dodgers were ousted from the race by their most bitter rivals when they were handcuffed by Trevor Wilson a two hitter. Matt Williams added two Bis to Back Wilson s first shutout of the season enabling the fourth place giants to derail the dodgers. It was the second time in the last decade the giants played spoilers to los Angeles on the final weekend. In 1982, Joe Morgan ripped a Homer to end the dodgers divisional Hopes. The braves also it n the division that year. The dodgers and giants had been bitter rivals in new York until they moved to California together after the 1957 season. The rivalry Nas continued. San Francisco was also inspired saturday by former teammate Dave Dravecky who was honoured in an emotional pregame ceremony for his Brave Battle against cancer which Cost him his Arm. Wilson 13-11, walked one and fanned six As he retired 20 of the last 21 batters. Hal Morris slipped in his bid for the National league batting title by finishing 1 for 5 for a .314 average. Morris holds the third spot in the batting race behind the Atlanta braves Terry Pendleton at ,319 and the padres Tony Gwynn at .317. In other no action Philadelphia shut out new York 1-0 at Home Chicago took a pair from St. Louis 3-2 and 7-5 at Wrig Ley and Pittsburgh nipped Montreal 4-3 at three  stay unbeaten oilers Roll sunday in Tiu nil on Pant s 25 amp 26 Cone fans 19, Blanks Phillies Philadelphia a in a season filled with Many disappointments David Cone will always have at least one game to remember. Cone tied a National league record sunday with 19 strikeouts As new York acts ended their worst year since 1983 with a 7-0 Victory Over the Philadelphia Phillies. Cone missed the major league record of 20 set by Bostons Roger Clemens on april 29, 1986, against seat quote. The 19 strikeouts gave Cone 241 for the season As he won the no title for the second straight season. He tied Clemens for the major league Lead. Cone had a Chance to break the no single game strikeout record also shared by Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton but Dale Murphy grounded out to end the game. A to be mentioned with Guys like Carlton and Seaver is really something a Cone said. A i really done to think in a in their class. 1 knew i had a Chance for the  Carlton struck out 19 mets on sept. 15, 1969, in a loss and Seaver fanned 19 ban Diego padres for new York on april a it 1970 a including a record 10 in a Row. Cone 14-14 struck out the Side four times and pitched a three hitter. The previous High for strikeouts this season was Nolan Ryan a 16 in his no hitter on May 1 against Toronto. Cone fanned 18 swinging and one looking., �?o1 Wasny to Happy to see Murphy for the 20th. He a always been Tough on me Cone said