In 2001, he bounced back in some ways, going 14-11 with a 4.34 ERA in 28 games while pitching 182.2 innings and striking out 102 and walking 36. In the 2001 NLDS that year, he faced the Braves once again. With the league-best Astros on the ropes in Game 3, he was tasked against John Burkett to have them live another day. However, he went just four innings while allowing four runs as the Braves swept the series with a 6-2 win.