[Nick Soulis]

Series #29
Preliminary Round



2000 Cincinnati Reds
Record: 85-77
Finish: 2nd in NL Central
Manager: Jack McKeon
Ball Park: Cinergy Field
WAR Leader: Ken Griffey Jr (5.5)
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/2000.shtml

1988 Atlanta Braves
Record: 54-106
Finish: 6th in AL West
Manager: Chuck Tanner
Ball Park: Fulton County Stadium
WAR Leader: Pete Smith (3.2)
Hall of Famers: (4)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1988.shtml
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Game 1
At Cinergy Field
1988 Atlanta Braves 6
2000 Cincinnati Reds 7
WP: D. Graves (1-0) LP: B. Suttoer (0-1)
HR: P. Reese (1), S. Casey (1), D. Murphy (1)
POG: Sean Casey (3-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Dante Bichette walk off RBI single

Game 2
At Cinergy Field
1988 Atlanta Braves 3
2000 Cincinnati Reds 9
WP: W. Roberts (1-0) LP: P. Smith (0-1)
HR: S. Casey (2), D. James (1)
POG: Willis Roberts (9 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, W)
Aaron Booner 2-3, 2 RBI

Game 3
At Fulton County Stadium
2000 Cincinnati Reds 6
1988 Atlanta Braves 0
WP: R. Mahler (1-0) LP: D. Neagile (0-1)
HR: L. Smith 2 (2)
POG: Rick Mahler (8.1 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W)
Dion James 2 Run triple

Game 4
At Fulton County Stadium
2000 Cincinnati Reds 6
1988 Atlanta Braves 7
WP: J. Alvarez (1-0) LP: R. Bell (0-1) S: B. Sutter (1)
HR: D. Bichette (1), P. Reese (2), K. Griffey Jr (1), A. Boone (1)
POG: Gerald Perry (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R)
Ozzie Virgil 2-4, 2 RBI

Game 5
At Fulton County Stadium
2000 Cincinnati Reds 1
1988 Atlanta Braves 5
WP: J. Smoltz (1-0) LP: E. Dessens (0-1)
HR: A. Thomas (1)
POG: John Smoltz (8.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W)
Dale Murphy 2 run double

Game 6
At Cinergy Field
1988 Atlanta Braves 10
2000 Cincinnati Reds 3
WP: P. Smith (1-1) LP: W. Roberts (1-1)
HR: M. Tucker (1), L. Smith (3), D. Murphy (2)
POG: Pete Smith (9 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 102 P)
Braves score 4 in the 1st

1988 Atlanta Braves Win Series 4 Games To 2
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Braves Shun Reputation With Series Win
Reds Fall To 106 Loss Atlanta



In a thrilling best-of-seven playoff series between the 1988 Atlanta Braves and the 2000 Cincinnati Reds, the underdog Braves secured a surprising victory in six games, upsetting the more recent and favored Reds. Lonnie Smith emerged as the series MVP for the Braves, delivering a standout performance with a batting average of .429 and contributing six crucial RBIs. In contrast, the usually reliable Ken Griffey Jr struggled for the Reds, hitting just .167 with one home run.

The series kicked off at Cinergy Field, and the 2000 Cincinnati Reds narrowly claimed victory, defeating the 1988 Atlanta Braves with a final score of 7-6. Sean Casey was the Player of the Game (POG), going 3-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Dante Bichette sealed the game with a walk-off RBI single.

The Reds continued their strong performance in Game 2, winning decisively against the Braves, with a final score of 9-3. Willis Roberts was the standout player, pitching nine impressive innings, allowing only three earned runs. Aaron Boone contributed with a 2-3 performance and two RBIs.

As the series shifted to Fulton County Stadium, the Reds displayed their dominance with a 6-0 shutout of the Braves. Rick Mahler pitched an outstanding 8.1 innings, not allowing any earned runs. Lonnie Smith, who would later be named the series MVP, blasted two home runs.

Game 4 was a closely contested battle, with the Braves narrowly defeating the Reds 7-6. Gerald Perry was the Player of the Game, going 3-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Jr, and Aaron Boone all hit home runs in an action-packed game.

The Braves made a strong comeback in Game 5, taking the win with a final score of 5-1. John Smoltz was dominant, pitching 8.1 innings with just one earned run. Dale Murphy's two-run double played a crucial role in the Braves' victory.

The Braves closed out the series in style, winning Game 6 with an emphatic 10-3 victory at Cinergy Field. Pete Smith was the Player of the Game, pitching a complete game while allowing just three earned runs. The Braves took an early lead by scoring four runs in the first inning, setting the tone for their eventual triumph.

In the end, the 1988 Atlanta Braves managed to win the series 4-2, pulling off a stunning upset against the 2000 Cincinnati Reds. Lonnie Smith's stellar performance and the Braves' resilience in the face of adversity were instrumental in securing their victory and advancing in the playoffs.

Series MVP:

(.429, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 2 2B, 1 SB, 1.61 OPS)