[Nick Soulis]

Series #141



2004 Atlanta Braves
Record: 96-66
Finish: Lost in NLDS
Manager: Bobby Cox
Ball Park: Turner Field
WAR Leader: JD Drew (8.6)
Franchise Record: 7-2
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2004.shtml

2021 Los Angeles Angels
Record: 77-85
Finish: 4th in AL West
Manager: Joe Maddon
Ball Park: Angel Stadium
WAR Leader: Shohei Ohtani (8.9)
Franchise Record: 2-1
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAA/2021.shtml
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Angels Dont Have A Prayer Against Braves
Ohtani And Trout Non Factors In 5 Game Series



Game 1
At Turner Field
2021 Los Angeles Angels 4
2004 Atlanta Braves 6
WP: J. Wright (1-0) LP: C. Rodriguez (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (1)
HR: J. Walsh (1), J. Drew 2 (2), J. Franco (1)
POG: JD Drew (2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)
2004 Braves Lead Series 1-0

The 2004 Atlanta Braves kicked off their best-of-seven series against the 2021 Los Angeles Angels in a thrilling 6-4 victory at Turner Field. In front of a spirited crowd of 50,424, right fielder J.D. Drew led the way for the Braves, hammering two home runs and driving in three crucial runs. Drew’s power, combined with a two-run double from Marcus Giles in the bottom of the sixth, helped Atlanta erase a 4-3 deficit and take control of the game. Despite a solid effort from Jared Walsh, who homered for the Angels and drove in two runs, the Braves' pitching trio of Jaret Wright, Juan Cruz, and John Smoltz managed to hold the Angels scoreless in the final three innings, securing a 1-0 series lead. The cool, partly cloudy night in the Field of Dreams setting provided the perfect backdrop for a hard-fought opening game, leaving fans eagerly anticipating Game 2.

Game 2
At Turner Field
2021 Los Angeles Angels 4
2004 Atlanta Braves 10
WP: J. Thomson (1-0) LP: A. Cobb (0-1)
HR: E. Marrero (1)
POG: John Thomson (6.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 93 IP)
2004 Braves Lead Series 2-0

The 2004 Atlanta Braves took control of their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series against the 2021 Los Angeles Angels, winning Game 2 by a score of 10-4. The Braves’ seven-run second inning, highlighted by Eli Marrero’s three-run homer off Alex Cobb, set the tone early. John Thomson was stellar on the mound, allowing just two runs over 6.2 innings to secure the win. The Angels tried to mount a late rally with two runs in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Atlanta’s early dominance. With a 2-0 series lead, the Braves now head to Angel Stadium for Game 3.

Game 3
At Angel Stadium
2004 Atlanta Braves 6
2021 Los Angeles Angels 5
WP: C. Reitsma (1-0) LP: J. Suarez (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (2)
HR: A. Laroche (1), A. Jones (1), C. Jones (1), K. Suzuki (1), T. Ward (1)
POG: Chipper Jones (2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R)
2004 Braves Lead Series 3-0

In Game 3 of the Field of Dreams series, the 2004 Atlanta Braves took a commanding 3-0 lead over the 2021 Los Angeles Angels with a narrow 6-5 victory. The game featured a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with Atlanta surging ahead thanks to key home runs from Adam LaRoche and Chipper Jones in the fifth inning, followed by a game-defining three-run blast by Andruw Jones in the sixth. The Angels took an early 5-1 lead behind homers from Taylor Ward and Kurt Suzuki, but could not respond after Atlanta's rally. Despite being outhit 11-10, the Braves capitalized on timely hitting and solid relief pitching, with John Smoltz closing the door for his second save. Chipper Jones, who went 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, was named Player of the Game. The Angels now face elimination as the series shifts back to Angel Stadium.

Game 4
At Angel Stadium
2004 Atlanta Braves 3
2021 Los Angeles Angels 5
WP: P. Sandoval (1-0) LP: M. Hampton (0-1) S: R. Iglesias (1)
HR: S. Ohtani (1), J. Walsh (2)
POG: Patrick Sandoval (6 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 102 P)
2004 Braves Lead Series 3-1

In Game 4 of the Field of Dreams series, the 2021 Los Angeles Angels staved off elimination with a 5-3 victory over the 2004 Atlanta Braves, narrowing the series deficit to 3-1. Patrick Sandoval led the way for the Angels, pitching six strong innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out five. Jared Walsh opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, and Shohei Ohtani's two-run blast in the seventh provided a crucial cushion. The Braves threatened late, with J.D. Drew tripling in the ninth, but closer Raisel Iglesias sealed the win. The Angels' offense racked up 12 hits, with Walsh going 3-for-4. Despite the loss, the Braves remain one game away from a series win as the action returns to Angel Stadium for Game 5.

Game 5
At Angel Stadium
2004 Atlanta Braves 11
2021 Los Angeles Angels 3
WP: J. Cruz (1-0) LP: S. Ohtani (0-1)
HR: J. Estrada (1), R. Furcal (1), K. Suzuki (2)
POG: Rafael Furcal (4-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)

In Game 5 of the Field of Dreams series, the 2004 Atlanta Braves clinched the title with a dominant 11-3 victory over the 2021 Los Angeles Angels, sealing the series 4-1. Atlanta's offense erupted early and often, highlighted by Rafael Furcal's stellar performance, including a solo home run and a four-hit night. Johnny Estrada and Julio Franco also contributed with a pair of home runs and triples, respectively, while John Smoltz closed the game with a shutdown bullpen appearance. The Angels struggled to contain Atlanta’s powerful lineup, with Shohei Ohtani getting knocked out in the fourth inning after giving up six runs. Despite a late two-run homer from Kurt Suzuki, the Angels couldn’t recover. With 20,706 fans in attendance, the Braves celebrated their first title in franchise history on a chilly, cloudy night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

2004 Atlanta Braves Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(.400, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 3 2B, .478 OBP, .700 SLG, 1.178 SLG)