They led San Francisco by 9 games and St. Louis by 9.5 on August 29 and then as the Giants faded, the Braves led the Cardinals by 8.5 games on Sept. 6.
The lead still seemed safe in the season's final week when Atlanta led by three games with five to go.
Then, on the final day, knowing St. Louis had won, the Braves bullpen broke down, allowed rival Philadelphia to score the tying run in the ninth and Atlanta lost in 13 innings.
