Phil Niekro allowed just four hit in 7 1/3 innings of work and held the great Honus Wagner and Roberto Clemente hitless.

Niekro's knuckle ball was dancing all over the plate, stumping the Pirates bats and leading the Braves to a narrow 2-1 win.

MVP: Phil Niekro

It's safe to say the Braves' legacy so far in the Celestial League has been less than steller. With a 1-4 record heading into today's game and with some shoddy performances by some of their legendary stars in previous games, the Braves were looking like a cursed team.

But Phil Niekro came into Riverfront Stadium today, to wipe that legacy away and put the Braves back on a winning track. With every trick in his large repetoire, Niekro smeared, greased, spat and knuckle-balled his way to a superb performance, allowing the Braves to win 2-1.

"Every time I threw the ball back to him, I had to wipe some gunk off my hand," Lopez chuckled. "But hey, that's baseball and I can't argue with the results."

The legendary Honus Wagner has been a dog so far for the Pirates and some are questioning whether the legendary hitter from the dead ball era can cut it in the Celestial League.

"I know I've struggled so far," Wagner noted. "These modern pitchers, they are good. But if that bastard Ty Cobb can adjust and succeed, then damn it so can I."

The Pirates have now lost their first two celestial games and must compete for the National League 'Goat Horn" pennant for Season 2. They will face either the Giants or Reds in that matchup.

You can also view a printout version of this game's story or statistics.

Pitcher Stats:

Atlanta/Milwaukee Braves
Name	IP	Runs	ERA	Hits	HR	K
Phil Niekro (W)	7.33	1	1.23	4	0	8
John Rocker	0.67	0	0	2	0	0
John Smoltz (S)	1	0	0	0	0	1
	9	1	1	6	0	9

Pittsburgh Pirates
Name	IP	Runs	ERA	Hits	HR	K
Dock Ellis	7	1	1.29	7	0	8
Mike Williams (L)	1	1	9	1	1	1
Josias Manzanillo	1	0	0	1	0	2
	9	2	2	9	1	11

Hitter Stats:

Atlanta/Milwaukee Braves
Name	POS	AB	Hits	Runs	HR	RBI	SB	BB	ERR
Rafael Furcal	SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Dusty Baker	CF	5	1	0	0	1	0	0	0
Eddie Matthews	3B	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hank Aaron	LF	4	2	1	1	1	0	0	0
J.D. Drew	1B	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	0
Fred McGriff	1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Marcus Giles	2B	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	0
Javy Lopez	CA	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
Phil Niekro	P	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ron Gant	CF	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
		35	9	2	1	2	0	3	0

Pittsburgh Pirates
Name	POS	AB	Hits	Runs	HR	RBI	SB	BB	ERR
Honus Wagner	SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Pie Traynor	3B	5	2	1	0	0	0	0	0
Roberto Clemente	LF/RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Ralph Kiner	LF/RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Willie Stargell	1B	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jason Kendall	CA	4	2	0	0	1	0	0	0
Kenny Lofton	CF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bill Mazerowski	2B	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dock Ellis	P	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Barry Bonds	LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Brian Giles	PH	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
		31	6	1	0	1	0	5	0

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