
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 14, 1995                   TAG: 9509140087
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER                                LENGTH: Short

BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR BRAVES

The Atlanta Braves became the first National League team to win four consecutive division titles, clinching the East on Wednesday with a 9-7 victory over Colorado coupled with a loss by second-place Philadelphia.

Atlanta won NL West championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993. The Braves moved to the NL East last year and were in second place behind Montreal when the strike ended the season in mid-August, but no division titles were awarded.

The Braves' clinching became complete Wednesday night when Philadelphia lost 5-4 in Montreal. At the time, Atlanta's charter flight from Denver was en route to Cincinnati, where the Braves play a weekend series.

``They deserve it,'' said Jim Fregosi, the Phillies' manager. ``Right now, they and Cincinnati are the best clubs in the NL.''

Atlanta posted the second-earliest clinching date in NL history. The 1975 Cincinnati Reds won the NL West on Sept.7; the Reds did it in a 162-game season, while the Braves are playing a 144-game schedule this year.

Oakland won five consecutive AL West titles from 1971-75, the longest streak since the leagues were split into divisions in 1969.

The Rockies, who lead the NL West by one game over Los Angeles, saw their team-record six-game winning streak stopped. Dante Bichette hit three doubles for Colorado, including a two-run drive during a four-run rally in the ninth.

Atlanta's Fred McGriff hit a three-run homer and two doubles, and Ryan Klesko drove in two runs with a pair of doubles. Jeff Blauser hit a solo home run and Marquis Grissom had three hits as the Braves ended a three-game losing streak.

Keywords:
BASEBALL

by CNB