By Paul Newberry
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Brooks Conrad slowed and turned toward the right-field line as he rounded first base, thinking Cincinnati’s Laynce Nix had kept his drive from clearing the left-field wall. But Nix was swatting his empty glove in frustration, and the Atlanta Braves had an improbable victory to celebrate.
Conrad hit a pinch-hit grand slam Thursday afternoon to finish off a seven-run ninth inning that gave the Braves a 10-9 win. The Reds, who scored eight runs off Tommy Hanson in the second inning, fell out of first in the National League Central and can only hope the stunning loss doesn’t leave a hangover on their surprisingly strong start.
“It was a horrible ending,” said Reds manager Dusty Baker, who appeared close to breaking down after the game. “Boy, that was a tough one.”