NLDS - 2014 Washington vs. 1998 Atlanta
In an exciting 5 game series, the Braves eked (love that word) out the win by taking the final 2 games of series. Let’s take a look back at some of the exciting moments of the NLDS.
Game 1 – Washington 6 Atlanta 3
“Werth The Price of Admission”
Braves’ ace Greg Maddux continued his postseason struggles giving up 6 runs in 7 innings. What was more amazing was that he also allowed 4 homeruns. (In real life he only allowed 13 in 251 innings) All were solo shots. Jayson Werth (2), Anthony Rendon and Wilson Ramos were the long ball hitters.
Werth’s 1st homerun was in the top of the 1st. The Braves answered with 2 homeruns of their own in the bottom of the inning as Chipper Jones and Andres Galarraga went back-to-back off of Jordan Zimmermann. But Zimmerman settled down after that rocky start and held the Braves in check as he went 7.2 innings in picking up the win. Rafael Soriano picked up the save as hopes sank in the ATL.
Game 2 – Atlanta 5 Washington 1
“Tommy Boy”
In a must win game for the Braves, Tom Glavine outdueled Doug Fister to tie up the series at 1. Glavine went 7 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits.
The game was tied at 1 all going into the bottom of the 7th. Glavine led off with a single to right. After retiring Andruw Jones on a deep fly to fence in left center, Walt Weiss singled and the Braves had runners at 1st and 2nd. Chipper Jones doubled off the wall to right center scoring pinch runner Curtis Pride and Weiss giving the Braves a 3-1 lead. They would add 2 more in the 8th to give them a much needed win.
Game 3 – Washington 3 Atlanta 2 – 11 Innings
“Harper Valley RBI”
Atlanta looked to have this one in the bag. They scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd inning to take a quick 2-0 lead. John Smoltz had his strikeout pitch going as he struck out 12 in 5 innings. But the Nats batters made him work hard for those strikeouts and Manager Burnette had to make an early call to a questionable bullpen.
On the other hand Manger Weiss allowed Tanner Roarke to imitate those pitchers of yore as he went 9 innings while throwing 147 pitches. After those 2 early runs, he shut down the Braves bats to keep his team in the game.
The shaky Braves pen held the Nationals at bay until the fateful 9th inning. Still leading 2-0, Burnette brought in his closer Kerry Ligtenberg. Wilson Ramos led off the inning with a base hit. Manager Weiss surprisingly let Roarke bat, hoping the pitching magic would rub off onto his bat. Alas, that did not happen as Roarke struck out. Denard Span singled to put runners on the corners. Jayson Werth who led his club to a victory in game 1 doubled to wall in left to tie the game up. Ligtenberg struck out the final 2 hitters but the damage was done. So was the Braves bullpen.
An overworked Russ Springer came on to the pitch the 11th. Craig Stammen, another pitcher hitting for himself, led off with a double. Span singled putting runners on the corners with nobody out. After getting Werth to ground out to second, Bryce Harper lined a single to center to send the faithful home happy.
Nats lead 2-1with game 4 sure to be played in front of raucous Washington crowd.
Game 4 – Atlanta 4 Washington 0
“El Ghatto Got ‘em”
This was the Denny Neagle and Andres Galarraga show. Neagle went 8.1 innings allowing only 5 hits before tiring in the 9th. This time Ligtenberg was able to get the final two outs sending this series back to Atlanta for the deciding game 5.
Galarraga hit a pair of 2 run homers, one in the 1st and the other one in the 6th to give the Braves all the runs they would need.
Game 5 – Atlanta 4 Washington 1
“Ace in the hole”
This game was scheduled to be played in the afternoon, but the Nationals charter ran into engine trouble and they did not arrive in Atlanta until 5 pm. This was a portend of things to come.
In a rematch of game 1, Jordan Zimmermann was up against Greg Maddux. And for 3.1 innings it looked like neither team would score. Then the fates intervened in favor of Atlanta. Zimmermann looked to twist his ankle as he landed awkwardly after striking out Chipper Jones. The Nats had to bring in Doug Fister on short rest.
The game remained scoreless until the 6th inning. Jayson Werth, yes that man again, took Maddux deep to give them 1-0 lead. Manager Burnette was getting worried as his ace was living up to the commercial that he and his teammate Tom Glavine made in the offseason, Chicks Dig the Long Ball.
Maddux settled down and the Braves bats finally came alive. In the bottom half of the 6th, Ozzie Guillen led off with a single. Chipper Jones doubled him in to tie the game. Javy Lopez singled home Jones and Michael Tucker followed with another RBI base hit and giving the Braves a 3-1 lead.
That was all that Maddux would need. He went the distance allowing only 1 run on 4 hits and no walks while striking out 6.
Chipper Jones was voted MVP of the NLDS.
Thanks to Marc Weiss for a great series that went down to the wire.
--submitted by Ron Burnette--
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