ATLANTA -- Let the champagne flow. A Braves team that will forever be known for its resilient spirit captured its 13th consecutive division title in fitting fashion on Friday, with a dramatic comeback victory.
The same Braves team that was pronounced dead in June came to life with a roaring three-run eighth and sent 28,632 fans at Turner Field into hysteria.
Marcus Giles' clutch two-out, two-run single to right field off Marlins closer Armando Benitez capped the stirring comeback and enabled the Braves to gain their clinching, 8-7 win over the defending World Series champion Marlins.
"I think the way we played this game was so indicative of the way this season has gone," said John Smoltz, the only player to be a part of each of these 13 consecutive division titles, who tossed a scoreless ninth and registered his 41st save.
Marcus Giles / 2B
Born: 05/18/78
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 180 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
With the Braves trailing, 7-5, Marlins right-hander Guillermo Mota began the eighth by walking Julio Franco and allowing singles to Andruw Jones and Charles Thomas. With the bases loaded, Rafael Furcal's long sacrifice fly scored Franco and advanced Jones to third.
After the sac fly, Benitez replaced Mota and immediately watched Thomas take second base uncontested. The decision to let Thomas go proved costly when Giles delivered the decisive 0-2 fastball in front of Juan Encarnacion in right field.
"This feels great," said a champagne-drenched Giles. "This is just one champagne party. We need to have three more. If we have three more, I'll be happy."
When Smoltz concluded the game by inducing Jeff Conine to ground into a double play, fireworks erupted, and the crowd cheered as the Braves celebrated the division championship on the field.
"We scored three runs in the eighth inning off two of the best relievers in the game," said Chipper Jones. "We wanted to do this tonight, and we wanted to do it in dramatic fashion."
With the mission accomplished, it was forgotten that another disappointing start by Russ Ortiz had negated the five runs the Braves tallied in the first two innings.
Russ Ortiz / P
Born: 06/05/74
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
Ortiz's prolonged struggles marred the festive evening. The right-hander, once considered the Braves' ace, allowed five earned runs and issued four walks in just 2 1/3 innings. In his past nine starts, the right-hander is 1-4 with a 7.33 ERA.
But as his teammates celebrated, Ortiz was all smiles. He no longer had to worry about Alex Gonzalez's two-run homer, or the bases-loaded situation he left behind when he exited in the third inning. Paul Lo Duca's double into the left-field corner scored each of those runners, whom Kevin Gryboski had inherited.
"Tonight, seeing the guys come back, I was able to turn a frown into a smile," said Ortiz. "That showed me that I don't have to put too much pressure on myself and live up to anybody's expectations."
Though Ortiz's struggles were glaring, the Marlins claimed their 7-5 lead against the Braves' bullpen. Conine hit a seventh-inning RBI single off Antonio Alfonseca, who hadn't allowed a run in his previous 13 2/3 innings. One inning earlier, Gonzalez had capped a two-homer performance with a two-out solo shot into the left-field seats off Juan Cruz.
Fortunately for the Braves, Marlins starter Ismael Valdez didn't fare much better than Ortiz. Valdez exited after two innings, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits. Continuing his season-long assault against the Marlins, J.D. Drew proved to be Valdez's nemesis.
John Smoltz / P
Born: 05/15/67
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
Andruw Jones and Thomas began the second inning with consecutive homers, and it appeared that the Braves were going to rout their way to the division title, but the final ending was more fitting for this resilient bunch.
"We came to win tonight," said Jones. "Things got tough, but we kept battling, and we came through in the end."
Thus this September evening concluded like so many in the past have for the Braves. But this celebration was visibly special for Smoltz, who realized just how much this team overcame to reach this familiar and very rewarding position.
"I can't tell you how happy I am for a lot of guys," he said. "When you celebrate, you give hugs a different way. There was a lot of hard work, and this is just pure enjoyment for everybody's hard work that they put into it."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Marcus Giles / 2B
Russ Ortiz / P
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