South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 47

PB Sunday, October 8, 2000 3C Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Braves swept Et of pk 1L Heartache continues for Atlanta Cardinals exorcise four-year demons, reach NL Championship Series BASEBALL National League DIVISION SIRIIS Baet-ei- Sen Franciic va. Naw York (Male lud cerlee 1-1) eYedneeday'e raeuli San FranclKO 5, New York I 1 Tkureday'e raaull New York San Franciaco 4(10) 1 Saawday'e reeult New York San Francnco 2(13) Teday'e aama Sip Franchco tt Nm York, 407 iE SPR) Maflday'f game New York at San FranclKO, 18- JflD St. Unit VI. Atlanta (Cardlnala win eerlee 1-0) -V iJ.j'-v' lJ By TOM SALADINO ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA The St. Louis Cardinals hopped up and down on the mound at Turner Field.

Then they carried the celebration to the clubhouse, where the mu- sic was turned up and the champagne flowed like the Mighty Mississippi. Payback is sweet. The Cardinals avenged a 4-year-old postseason loss with a 7-1 victory over Atlanta on Saturday, sweeping the Braves out of the opening round of the playoffs with shocking ease. Jim Edmonds and Fernando Vina drove in three runs apiece as the Cardinals completed a three-game blitz in the best-of-5 series. St.

Louis advanced to the NL championship series for the first time since 1996. "I didn't think it would take this long to get back at them," said Ray Lankford, one of three St. Louis holdovers from '96. "But it was worth it." Fouryears ago, the Cardinals squandered a3-l lead over Atlanta, which won the final three games of the NLCS by a combined score of 32-1. St.

Louis Tuaaday'a raautt Lout! 7, Mania 5 Tlmredae'a naiaH Sulouli 10, Atlanta 4 latardar'i reealt SUtoull 7, Atlanta I LfAtKlf CHAMPIONSHIP HRICS (OX) 1-, Wednesday, Oct 11 St. LchiU at San Frenavco OR New York at St. Lourt, Thuraday, Oct 12 StAouli at San FrenctKo OR New York at St. loud 1:1 Satorday, Oct 14 San FfanclKO at St. Lout! OR St.

Louis at New York, 4:1 a Sunday, Oct If San FtandKO at St. Louts OR St. Louts at Naw York, MS Monday, Oct 10 Sqi Franchco at St. Louts OR St Louis at Naw York. Wedneeday, Oct II St-Uuh at San Francisco OR New York at St.

Louis, 4:1 Tlwreday, Oct Iff St.leurs at San Francisco OR Naw York at St louts, I 5' nccaisary a. Cardinals 7, Braves SWEEP SUCCESS: Cardinals first baseman Will Clark is surrounded by teammates after St. Louis clinched the National League Division Series with a win over Atlanta. AFPchirtotkhftr bl bb i St Louis third-base dugout. "They're always here with Edmonds said.

"They're a part of; ourlives," 1 For the third time in four years, the Braves watched anotherteamn celebrate a playoff victory on their field. The Marlins clinched the NLCS in Atlanta in 1997, fol-' lowed by San Diego in '98. i "We've seen it a few times here," Chipper Jones said. "UntiJJ it ticks us off, we're going to keep on seeing it." St. Louis struck on the second pitch from Millwood a high fastball that Vina lined into the first row of the right-field stands During the regular season, thei Cardinals second baseman hitj only four homers.

Then, with the score tied at 1, Edmonds went to work. In the third, he pounced on a 2-0 fastball from Millwood for two-run homer. He knocked out Millwood with a two-out, run-scoring double in the fifth that was misplayed by left fielder Reggie Sanders. For" the series, the Cardinals outfield-erwas8for 14 (.571) andsetadi-i; vision series record with doubles. The Braves were buried when St.

Louis scored three more in the sixth. Until this year, the Braves had reached the NLCS eight seasons in a row (excluding strike-short-1 ened 1994) and went on to the World Series five times. But as remarkable as the post- season streak has been, Atlanta-remains stuck on just one World Series championship. "We've been trying to figure out why that is until we're blue in the face," Glavine said. "We want to win as much as anybody." The Braves have lost seven postseason games in a row going back to a sweep by the Yankees' in last year's World Series.

The Braves closed the regular season by losing four of five in-, eluding a ninth-inning debacle in; the finale that cost home-field adr vantage in the first round of the' playoffs. St. Louis starter Garrett Stephenson, bothered by tendinitis the last month, lasted only 3 in-, nings before he was forced out, with a stiff elbow. He gave up larraga's RBI single in the first for, the only Atlanta run. La Russa said Stephenson would be evalu-' ated in St.

Louis. His status for the rest of the playoffs is uncer-" tain. JOS .200 571 SO .200 .167 300 jOOO boo MO jOOO Vkiafl) Renteriatt Edmonds cf Clark lb LantdorrJir Hemeridzc Drewrf Poland) 5b FanuetttJb Stephrsnp Rearms Davis ph Jamasp McGwire ph Mprrbp Vansp 0 MO 0 .500 0 0 V. 1 'a 'I- i IS bl bb Atlanta cm .111 33) .200 JOOO 364 ooo 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 I 0 1 1 II fuical ss ajrxtecf Cartes lb Gelaraga lb locate -Bakot Jordan if Sanders If Mutholndp Ugtenbrgp Remllngrp Joyherph Ashbyp, Ldckhart 2b Millwood Bon Totalf turned things around in the rematch, blowing out the Braves by an aggregate of 24-10. "This is a different year," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.

"In 1996, we were close, but they were better." Not this time. Atlanta got just three singles in the finale, and the biggest cheers at the less-than-full Turner Field were for Mark McGwire, who grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. "I told you guys! I told you guys!" Will Clark screamed while spraying bubbly in the raucous Cardinals clubhouse. "We just kept getting better and better." Atlanta, making a ninth straight playoff appearance, will miss the NLCS for the first time since 1990. The Cardinals open Wednesday night, either at San Francisco or at home against the NewYorkMets.

"Everybody still wants to play," said Kevin Millwood, who took the loss for Atlanta. "But we ran into a hot ballclub that played better baseball than we did. Now we get to watch." After former Marlin Paul Bako ended the game by striking out, the Cardinals celebrated in the center of the field, thousands of their fans crowded behind the .125 00 1 JD00 TALE OF TWO CITIES: Atlanta fans, above, show their frustration after the Braves had their World Series hopes dashed for the ninth time in 1 0 years. St. Louis' Jim Edmonds, left, celebrates after hitting a two-run homer.

APphotos 102 011 0007 0 St Louis AtlanU 100 000 000-1 1 1 Clone! (2). 101 St. Louis 6, Atlanta 4. 21 Cdmonds (4). HR-Cdmonds 12) of! Millwood; Vina (1) off Millwood.

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St Louis Ip ac bb so up Sun-Sentinel wire services 2 3 3 11 2.45 aoo 0.00 Stephensn Rams 1-0 Jamas Motifl Vers 2 0 0 0 I'i 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 0 0 ATLANTA One of the best 0.00 000 outfielders in baseball has a pretty no ar bb AtlanU good bat, too. MlllwdLO-l 4i 4 4 4 3 3 84 7.71 Jim Edmonds hit a two-run ho mer in the Cardinals' series-clinch Mutholhd Vi 1 2 2 1 1 17 540 Ugtenorg 0 1 1 0 1 540 rVmtnor I'i 1 0 0 0 1 30 2.70 Alhbv 1 0 0 0 0 1 22 2.4S ing 7-1 win over Atlanta on Satur Inherited nwnors-scerad Mulhollind 1-0, Ugtanberg DECADE OF DESPAIR day, leaving him with a .571 2ri, Remlinger 2-2. ialk-Millwood. Umpires Home, Menuaue: first Momson: Second, Young; Third, Barrett, Tad; Left Kellogo; Right Cederstrom. 3:09.

49,89 average and seven RBI the three-game series. Despite reaching the postseason in nine of the past 1 0 seasons, the Braves trotted around the bases. Unfortunately for Edmonds, there isn't an MVP award in the opening round of the playoffs, "He was hot. Everything he hit was hard. He's definitely the reason they won 3-0," Atlanta's Reggie Sanders said.

Edmonds hit .295 with 42 home runs, 129 runs scored and 108 RBI during the season, then went 3 for 5 with a homer and two RBI in the postseason opener, a 7-5 win. He went 3 for 4 in Game 2 with three doubles and two RBI a 10-4 victory. "I'm so glad for him. He had a huge season, and I'm happy that he could do it in October, too," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said.

"That's the kind of year Jim had. Clutch hits and catches." wasn't just me. A lot of guys stepped up all year long, but it's not over yet. There are still games to be won." Teammates chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" for more than a minute as they surrounded Edmonds in the clubhouse and drenched him from head to toe with champagne as music blared loudly in the background. Edmonds went 2 for 5 in the series finale, adding an RBI double in the fifth.

"Jimmy, the MVP that he is, did it again," said teammate Will Clark, who was screaming as he sprayed champagne on anyone in sight. After Edmonds homered off Kevin Millwood, the Cardinals' fans at Turner Field began chanting "M-V-P! M-V-P!" as Edmonds only have one World Series championship to show for it: "It's a lot of fun, said Edmonds, Playoffs Year Record Pet. Finish acquired by St. Louis from Anaheim in March. "It's amazing what you can do if you relax a little bit Lost 4-3 in World Series to Twins Lost 4-2 in World Series to Blue Jays Lost 4-3 in NLCS to Phillies Postseason canceled Won 4-2 in World Series over Indians Lost 4-2 in World Series to Yankees Lost 4-2 in NLCS to Marlins Lost 4-2 in NLCS to Padres Lost 4-0 in World Series to Yankees Lost 3-0 in Division Series to Cardinals 94- 68 380 NL East champ 98-64 .605 NL East champ 104-58 .642 NL East champ 68-46 .586 NL East runner-up 90-54 .625 NL East champ 96-66 .593 NL East champ 101-61 .623 NLEastchamp 106-56 .654 NLEastchamp 103-59 .636 95- 67 386 NLEastchamp 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 and get the adrenalin going.

Edmonds was 8 for 14 against the Braves with two homers, a record four doubles and five runs scored. "That's what I'm paid to do. It Bennysaver: Agbayanfs HR in 13th powers Mets 7 San Fran. ab bl bb so avp. Benardd 6 0 1114 Mut 6 0 2 0 0 1 313 Bonds 0 0 0 2 1 .231 KX2b 6 0 2 0 0 3 385 Burksif 4 1 1 0 2 1 300 Futap 0 0 0 0 0 0 Snow lb 4 0 2 0 2 1 JOO Auriass 4 0 0 0 0 2 .167 Nenp 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kospfl 1 0 0 0 0 0 JOO Mtnbeic 1 0 0 0 0 0 000 EstaWlac 4 1110 1 3 Crespoph 1 0 0 0 0 0 333 Podnquip 0 0 0 0 0 0 Murraycf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2M OrtSp 3 0 0 0 0 1 JOOO Embreep 0 0 0 0 0 0 rtantyp 0 0 0 0 0 0 MarrJnetSt 3 0 2 0 0 1 333 Totala a 2 11 1 IT Naw York ab pi bo so avg.

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nn Mis Benard (1), Estalella (1), Pel (3), Alfonzo (3), Aobayant (1). Si Payton (I), IHarHs (1). CS Alfon- Sun-Sentinel wire services NEW YORK Benny Agbayani knew it was gone the moment he connected. He flipped his bat, Barry Bonds watched the ball sail over the left-field wall, and the New York Mets had won another playoff game in their final at-bat. Agbayani produced the latest piece of postseason magic for the Mets, hit? ting a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the 13th inning for a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night and a 2-1 lead in the NL division series.

"It's a great feeling to be the man," Agbayani said. "We're one of those teams that never say die. We know anything can happen." Now, New York gets a chance for a return trip to the NL Championship Series today when Bobby J. Jones starts against Mark Gardner on Sunday in the best-of-5 series. On a day and night when both teams blew several chances in extra innings, Agbayani's shot on a 1-0 pitch from Aaron Fultz ended it.

The game took five hours, 22 minutes and if it had a familiar ring for the Mets and their fans, there was a good reason. In the previous playoff game at Shea KOrln position San Francisco 7 (Mueller, Bonds, Miraoem, csiarene, vioir- lib 31 aiwMit aanwaal am Bonds. Burks, Rku, Alfonzo. OP San Francisco 2 (Estalella and Aurtlta), (Hent wuritia anq jtitrwr. chance in the 13th but popped up with runners on first and second against White to end the inning.

"If you read his track record, he hasn't done very good in the postseason," White said. "So that's all I was thinking about, was just don't make a mistake here." Held hitless for five innings by nemesis Russ Ortiz, the Mets tied it on Alfon-zo's hit in the eighth. Ortiz began the game with a 4-0 career record and a 2.83 ERA against the Mets. He was just as tough this time, becoming the first pitcher to take a no-hit bid into the sixth during the postseason since David Cone for the Yankees in the 1998 World Series against San Diego. Mike Bordick drew a four-pitch walk to start the sixth and pinch-hitter Darryl Hamilton followed with a single.

Late-season sensation Timo Perez also singled, cutting the Giants' lead to 2-1 San Francisco scored twice in the fourth against Rick Reed. Bobby Estalella and Benard had RBI singles for their first hits in the series. Stadium, the Mets beat Atlanta 4-3 last Oct. 17 in the NLCS on Robin Ventura's grand slam-single in the 15th inning. That one took 5:46.

Rick White, New York's sixth pitcher, wound up with the win as Mets relievers combined for seven scoreless innings. Giants relief ace Robb Nen gave up an RBI double to Edgardo Alfonzo in the eighth that made it 2-all. "Games like this one are why you play, This was a great game," Giants shortstop Rich Aurilia said. "Yeah, it's hard to take, but we're still in it." The Mets' last five postseason wins, meanwhile, have all come in their last at-bat. Agbayani had been 0 for 5 in the game.

In the 1 1th, with runners on first and second and no outs, he failed to get down a sacrifice bunt and eventually hit a harmless fly ball. Against Fultz, his fly ball won it. "That was the redemption right there," Agbayani said. Bonds finished 0 for 5, continuing his postseason struggles. He had his best am Ip ac bb so np fan Francisco 'i 2 1 1.69 aoo 3J36 OOO 623 ,675 0 0 0 0 IV, 0 1 1 0 I'A 2 0 0 1 110 0 1 I'i I 1 1 0 3S errbree Hty rtedriouel FcraUO-1 Naw York i i I 6 7 2 2 2 6 104 300 A 0 0 0 1 0 12 0O0 I'A 0 0 0 1 3 24 OOO I ess-: i d- Fevd ndel itsnco arvtea 1 1 0 0 0 1 16 OOO 2 1 0 0 1 3 36 600 22002440 000 fflerY, 1-0 Inherited istnnaii stored Nan 1-1.

Embre 3-0, VaenoeH 1-0. Ml off Benitel (Snow) 1, OR RROrtit (Piazzal 1, on Heed itMnasi i. nnr oy iw j. i Eirct nrnnav Sac- CENTER OF ATTENTION: Mets players and coaches salute Benny Agbayani after his home run in the 1 3trf inning gave New York a 2-1 series lead. Arrce, and, Boas Third, DsMuro, Mike; left Rietar.

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