When pushed to the limits, the 1997 Marlins are finding a way to prevail.

The 1997 squad squeaked by the '84 Padres in an epic seven-game series, as it once again advanced in the MLB Dream Bracket 2: Dream Seasons tournament.

• Full bracket and info | Complete Dream Bracket 2 rosters

In 1997, the Marlins won the World Series for the first time in franchise history in seven games against the Indians.

In the Dream Bracket simulated tournament, which started off with 64 teams, the 1997 Marlins are one of 16 remaining. Next up, they will face the '60 Pirates in a best-of-seven series in National League Region 1 bracket play. The ’60 Pirates edged the '69 Cubs in seven games.

The Marlins took care of business against the Padres after eliminating the 1969 Mets in six games in the first round. Each of the current 30 MLB organizations had two participating teams. Representing the Marlins were both of their World Series title clubs. Joining the '97 team in the simulated tournament were the 2003 Marlins, who lost in five games in the first round to the '79 Pirates.

• Box score and game summary

Gary Sheffield, Darren Daulton and Jeff Conine each hit two home runs in the series against the Padres, and Bobby Bonilla sported a .360 batting average. Alex Fernandez was the pitching hero in Game 7.

The simulated competition, featuring many of the greatest teams in baseball history, is being produced by Out of the Park Baseball 21, MLB‘s most realistic strategy game (PC and Mac).

Game 1: Padres 5, Marlins 2
Daulton hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, but that’s the only damage the Marlins did off Padres starter Ed Whitson, who worked seven innings in the series opener at Joe Robbie Stadium. Tony Gwynn went 4-for-5 for San Diego, and Rich Gossage logged two scoreless innings for the save. Marlins starter Kevin Brown allowed three runs and struck out nine in four innings, taking the loss. The Marlins were limited to just four hits.

Game 2: Marlins 9, Padres 1
Charles Johnson belted a three-run homer in the second inning off Eric Show, and the Marlins never looked back to even the series at 1. Al Leiter worked 6 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits. Rick Helling and Pat Rapp combined for 2 1/3 hitless innings. Moises Alou went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. The Marlins put up five runs in 2 2/3 innings against Show.

Game 3: Padres 3, Marlins 2
Graig Nettles connected on a two-run homer in the first inning off Fernandez, and that was all the Padres needed to take a 2-1 series advantage at Jack Murphy Stadium. Sheffield homered in the sixth inning off Tim Lollar, who struck out six in 5 1/3 innings. The Marlins were held in check by the Padres’ bullpen, which allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings. In the ninth, the Marlins had the tying run on second base, but Luis DeLeon got Cliff Floyd to pop out to end the game.

Game 4: Marlins 6, Padres 2
With the Marlins holding a 2-1 lead, Conine provided some breathing room with his three-run homer off Greg Harris in the fifth inning. Livan Hernandez worked six innings, giving up two runs while picking up the win that evened the series at 2. Conine went 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Edgar Renteria, Sheffield and Alou combined to go 5-for-13 with three runs. Kevin McReynolds and Carmelo Martinez each hit solo home runs off Hernandez.

Game 5: Marlins 6, Padres 2
A strong 7 1/3 innings from Brown led the way for the Marlins to take a 3-2 edge in the series. Brown fanned five and scattered five hits while allowing one run. Daulton knocked a two-run homer off Whitson in a three-run Marlins fourth inning. Sheffield had a big day, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs and a homer in the seventh.

Game 6: Padres 6, Marlins 4
Facing elimination, Martinez smashed a grand slam in the first inning off Leiter, who lasted just one-third of an inning, allowing five runs. The Marlins closed the gap with four runs in the fourth off Show. Bonilla had two RBIs and Craig Counsell went 2-for-4 with an RBI, which came in the fourth. Gossage worked two scoreless innings for the save.

Game 7: Marlins 3, Padres 0
The winner-take-all Game 7 swung in favor of the Marlins in the sixth inning, when Alou had perhaps the biggest hit of the series. His two-run double off Lollar gave the Marlins the only runs they’d need. Bonilla followed with an RBI single to score Alou. Fernandez made sure the lead held up, throwing eight shutout innings, while scattering three hits. He struck out seven. Robb Nen fanned two in the ninth for the save.