| 1991 National League Championship Series |
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The Pirates had the best record in the National League in 1991, and were expected to win this series and advance to the World Series. But the Braves, who went from last place in the National League West in 1990 to first place in the division in '91, were able to pull off the upset in their memorable run to the World Series versus the Minnesota Twins. Managers: Bobby Cox (Atlanta), Jim Leyland (Pittsburgh) Umpires: Doug Harvey , Frank Pulli , Dana DeMuth , Eric Gregg , Bob Davidson , Bruce Froemming Series MVP: Steve Avery , Atlanta Television: CBS ( Jack Buck and Tim McCarver announcing) GAME 1 October 9 - Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh The Pirates proved they would be tough to eliminate early when they stifled the Braves offense behind Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and won the first game 5-1. Pittsburgh Center Fielder Andy Van Slyke had a Home Run and a Double off Braves starter Tom Glavine . David Justice hit a solo home run for the Braves' only run. GAME 2 October 10 - Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh In Game 2, both teams were kept in check by the outstanding pitching performances of Zane Smith for Pittsburgh and Steve Avery for Atlanta. However, Avery and the Braves would come out on top 1-0, after Mark Lemke picked up a double and the only RBI of the game in the sixth inning. Alejandro Pena got the save and the combined shutout was complete. The series was now tied 1-1. GAME 3 October 12 - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta The Braves won 10-3 with home runs from Ron Gant , Greg Olson , and Sid Bream . Many believed it was all over for the Pirates. GAME 4 October 13 - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta The lone extra-inning game of the series came in Atlanta before 51,109 fans. Many said that this was one of the best playoff games of all time. The score was tied 2-2 after nine innings. The scoring in the first nine innings was over after the fifth inning. The Pirates had gotten their runs on a Don Slaught single and a Jay Bell single along with a Braves error. The Braves earned their two runs in the first inning on three straight singles and an error. The Pirates tied the series with a run in the top of the 10th when Mike LaValliere singled in Van Slyke, who had stolen second after being walked by Kent Mercker . The Braves batted out in the bottom of the 10th. GAME 5 October 14 - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta Zane Smith had his second excellent game of the series, but this time he won, beating Glavine and the Braves 1-0 in almost a mirror image of Smith's start in Game 2. However, in Game 2, Smith had given up the one run and lost. The lone run in this game came when Jose Lind hit a simple RBI single in the fifth. GAME 6 October 16 - Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh would host one of the best pitcher's duels of all time on October 16 , 1991 between Steve Avery and Doug Drabek. In the end, identical to Avery's last start, a combination of Avery and Pena shut out the Pirates for all nine innings. The Pirates only got four hits. This time, however, after the eighth inning the Braves didn't score a run either. Drabek matched Avery, pitch for pitch. But in the ninth inning, with the score tied 0-0, Olsen doubled to left to score Gant and take the lead off a weary Drabek. He had pitched a Complete Game , but was the loser after the Pirates couldn't get Gary Varsho home from third in the bottom of the ninth. GAME 7 October 17 - Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh The Braves scored three runs in the first inning, partly on a Brian Hunter two-run home run, and never looked back. Many said the Pirates lost the championship series because they didn't have Smith or Drabek available when they needed them. Instead, John Smiley made the start and lost to John Smoltz , who shut out the Pirates. The Braves won 4-0 and nabbed the pennant. Avery won the series MVP award. Pitching 16.1 innings, the Braves starter did not allow an earned run, giving up nine hits and walking four while striking out 17. Avery said, "It's been the best time of my life." |
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