1998 National League Championship Series

The 1998 National League Championship Series, to determine the champion of Major League Baseball's National League, was played from October 7 to 14, 1998 between the East Division Champion Atlanta Braves and the West Division Champion San Diego Padres.

Related Topics:
1998 - National League Championship Series - Major League Baseball - National League - October 7 - 14 - 1998 - Atlanta Braves - San Diego Padres

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Umpires: Terry Tata, Larry Poncino, Tom Hallion, Greg Bonin, Gerry Davis, Steve Rippley

Related Topics:
Terry Tata - Larry Poncino - Tom Hallion - Greg Bonin - Gerry Davis - Steve Rippley

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The Braves, playing in their seventh consecutive NLCS, had won a team-record 106 games during the regular season and were favored to beat the Padres, who had won 98 games, in the best-of-seven series. However, it was the Padres who put the Braves in a virtually inescapable hole, winning the first three games – including the first two in Atlanta – behind strong starting pitching from Andy Ashby, Kevin Brown and Sterling Hitchcock, who allowed just three total runs combined.

Related Topics:
Andy Ashby - Kevin Brown - Sterling Hitchcock

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The Braves refused to go quietly, winning the next two games by scores of 7-6 and 5-0, becoming the first team in baseball history to force a Game 6 after falling behind 3-0 in a best-of-seven series.

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But any dreams of a historic comeback were crushed in that Game 6. The Padres rallied for 5 runs in the 6th inning, and winning pitcher Sterling Hitchcock combined with four relievers to shut out the Braves, giving the Padres their second ever National League pennant, their first since 1984.

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With his two wins, Sterling Hitchcock was named Series MVP.

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The Padres advanced to the World Series, where they were swept 4-0 by the New York Yankees.

Related Topics:
World Series - New York Yankees

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