University of North Carolina Athletics
Walt Weiss Saves The Day For Atlanta
October 9, 1999 | Baseball
Oct. 9, 1999
Houston -- Former Tar Heel shortstop Walt Weiss may have saved the Atlanta Brave's season Friday afternoon at Houston as the Braves took a 5-3, 12-inning victory over the Astros to grab a 2-1 lead in their NL divisional series.
With the score tied at 3-3, the Astros loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th inning. A force play at the plate got the first out, then Tony Eusebio ripped a shot up the middle. Weiss dove to his left to knock the ball down, spun around and fired an off-balance throw to catcher Eddie Perez for the force out. Perez kept the tip of his toe on the plate as he stretched for the throw. Closer John Rocker then struck out Ricky Gutierrez to end the inning.
"That was as good a play as I've ever seen," said Brave's starter Tom Glavine. "That's what the postseason is all about. That's what it takes to win games like this."
"Walt Weiss made the most unbelievable play I've ever seen," marveled Chipper Jones. "In that situation, it's simply amazing."
rian Jordan's two-run double in the 12th gave the Braves their win. Jordan had a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Rocker picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief, while Kevin Millwood recorded a save. Jay Powell suffered the loss for Houston.
Weiss was an outstanding shortstop at Carolina from 1983-85. Weiss earned first-team all-ACC honors in 1984 and 1985 before being selected by the Oakland Athletics as the 11th pick in the first round of the 1985 draft.
The teams meet again Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (ESPN) at Houston. John Smoltz will be on the mound for Atlanta, while the Astros will counter with Shane Reynolds.
