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Centerpiece Edmonds has huge series in eliminating Braves
ATLANTA (AP) -- Jim Edmonds came up big, again. Edmonds hit a two-run homer in the Cardinals' series-clinching 7-1 win over Atlanta on Saturday, leaving him with a .571 average and seven RBIs in the three games. "It's a lot of fun," said Edmonds, acquired by St. Louis from Anaheim in March. "It's amazing what you can do if you relax a little bit and get the adrenalin going. Edmonds was 8-for-14 against the Braves with two homers, a record four doubles and five runs scored. "That's what I'm paid to do. It wasn't just me. A lot of guys stepped up all year long, but it's not over yet. There are still games to be won." Teammates chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" for more than a minute as they surrounded Edmonds in the clubhouse and drenched him from head to toe with champagne as music blared loudly in the background.
Edmonds went 2-for-5 in the series finale, adding an RBI double in the fifth. "Jimmy, the MVP that he is, did it again," said teammate Will Clark, who was screaming as he sprayed champagne on anyone in sight. After Edmonds homered off Kevin Millwood, the Cardinals' fans at Turner Field began chanting "M-V-P! M-V-P!" as Edmonds trotted around the bases. Unfortunately for Edmonds, there isn't an MVP award in the opening round of the playoffs. "He was hot. Everything he hit was hard. He's definitely the reason they won 3-0," Atlanta's Reggie Sanders said. Edmonds hit .295 with 42 home runs, 129 runs scored and 108 RBIs during the season, then went 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs in the postseason opener, a 7-5 win. He went 3-for-4 in Game 2 with three doubles and two RBIs a 10-4 victory. "I'm so glad for him. He had a huge season and I'm happy that he could do it in October, too," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "That's the kind of year Jim had. Clutch hits and catches."
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