For the Braves, the Game 5 loss to the Cubs on Sunday was all too familiar.
Another division title, another playoff failure.
Kerry Wood dominated what was the best offensive team in the league during the regular season.
"We just didn't make any adjustments," Braves closer John Smoltz said. "They pitched the same way the whole series. But they dominated. It's not like they were throwing slop up there."
Even when Atlanta did something right, it didn't seem to work out.
Gary Sheffield got what appeared to be his third hit of the series in the sixth, a line drive to center with two on and no outs. But because the umpires ruled that centerfielder Kenny Lofton trapped the ball, Marcus Giles was forced at second, and Sheffield was credited with a fielder's choice.
"I was mad because both of the umpires down the lines were standing there with their hands in their pockets," Giles said. "I thought he caught it. I would've liked to have seen the call a little sooner."
That ruined the last rally for the Braves, though Rafael Furcal scored on the play. With Sheffield on first and one out, Chipper Jones bounced into a double play.
It's the sixth time in the past seven years Atlanta has been eliminated at Turner Field, and this loss was seen by a franchise-record 54,357.
"I'm tired of talking about it, but that's what happened," Smoltz said. "I'm man enough to say we got beat, but I don't like it."
Atlanta led the NL in every major hitting category this season: batting average (.284), homers (a franchise-record 235) and runs (907, another club mark). Four players - Sheffield, Javy Lopez, Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones - reached 100 RBIs, and six had 20 homers.
But nobody had more than one hit in the deciding game, and only two of the hits went for extra bases.
In other news, Braves first baseman Robert Fick was fined an undisclosed amount by the commissioner's office and the team for his actions in Game 4.
Fick clubbed Chicago's Eric Karros with a forearm as he was running to first base Saturday. The blow knocked the ball and glove free, nearly injuring Karros, and Fick was called out.
"I like Eric Karros," Fick said. "Shoot, he's a real good player. He's a (former) Dodger. I've been a Dodger fan my whole life. It's not something I'm proud of."
MARLINS: As Florida prepared to fly to Chicago for the NLCS opener Tuesday, manager Jack McKeon said he isn't concerned about a 2-4 record against the Cubs this year.
"I've managed a number of years, and this is the finest bunch of guys collectively I've ever been associated with," McKeon said. "I just hope that all these good things that have happened to us is a reward for the way they played.
"No one thought we'd be here. People probably still don't believe we're here. We'll probably be the underdogs in this series."
Josh Beckett will be Florida's starting pitcher. He lost his only start against the Cubs this season, allowing six runs over six innings on July 7 at Wrigley Field.
Chicago's expected starter, Carlos Zambrano, faced Florida once this season and held the Marlins scoreless in six innings July 8.
GIANTS: General manager Brian Sabean was up at 6:30 Sunday morning after an overnight flight from Florida, already contemplating an overhaul of the team.
San Francisco's sensational season ended abruptly Saturday against the wild-card Marlins.
"We didn't play like a team that won 100 games," Sabean said. "I thought we had a chance to win the series in three games."
Shortstop Rich Aurilia's contract is up, 38-year-old catcher Benito Santiago isn't expected to be back, and decisions must be made on first baseman J.T. Snow, injured closer Robb Nen, rightfielder Jose Cruz, backup infielder Pedro Feliz, relievers Scott Eyre, Felix Rodriguez and 12-game winner Joe Nathan.
Starter Jason Schmidt has an elbow injury that affected him down the stretch and might be worse than the Giants admitted. Schmidt might need surgery.
