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2004 – Roy Oswalt becomes the National League’s only 20-game winner with a 9-3 triumph over Colorado. Craig Biggio smashes two homers to set a career high. Jeff Kent goes yard to set a career record for home runs by a second baseman with 278. More importantly, the win clinches a tie for the wild card spot when ex-Astro Steve Finley belts a walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a 7-3 verdict over the Giants. The next day, Brandon Backe clinches the berth for Houston with a 5-3 victory, giving the Astros a 92-70 mark . They finished the year winning 36 of their last 46 games and 18 straight at home. 

2004 – Roy Oswalt becomes the National League’s only 20-game winner with a 9-3 triumph over Colorado. Craig Biggio smashes two homers to set a career high. Jeff Kent goes yard to set a career record for home runs by a second baseman with 278. More importantly, the win clinches a tie for the wild card spot when ex-Astro Steve Finley belts a walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a 7-3 verdict over the Giants. The next day, Brandon Backe clinches the berth for Houston with a 5-3 victory, giving the Astros a 92-70 mark . They finished the year winning 36 of their last 46 games and 18 straight at home. 

Jeff Kent hits two round-trippers to become the all-time home run leader of second basemen. The Astros infielder records his 278th dinger and 302nd overall to break Ryne Sandberg’s major league record established in 1997.

Jeff Kent hits two round-trippers to become the all-time home run leader of second basemen. The Astros infielder records his 278th dinger and 302nd overall to break Ryne Sandberg’s major league record established in 1997.

Much to the chagrin of manager Ron Gardenhire and his players, the Twins’ game against Cleveland, tied at 5-5 after 11 innings, is halted because the ground crew needs time to prepare the field for a University of Minnesota football game. The suspended Metrodome contest resumes before tomorrow’s scheduled game with the home team scoring a run in the bottom of the 12th frame, giving the team a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Tribe.

Much to the chagrin of manager Ron Gardenhire and his players, the Twins’ game against Cleveland, tied at 5-5 after 11 innings, is halted because the ground crew needs time to prepare the field for a University of Minnesota football game. The suspended Metrodome contest resumes before tomorrow’s scheduled game with the home team scoring a run in the bottom of the 12th frame, giving the team a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Tribe.

The Toronto Blue Jays announce the dismissals of pitching coach Gil Patterson and first-base coach Joe Breeden, effective at the end of the season.

The Toronto Blue Jays announce the dismissals of pitching coach Gil Patterson and first-base coach Joe Breeden, effective at the end of the season.

The Montreal Expos earn the last win in the franchise’s history, defeating the New York Mets, 6 – 3. Brad Wilkerson hits the Expos’ final home run in the 9th inning, his 32nd of the year.

The Montreal Expos earn the last win in the franchise’s history, defeating the New York Mets, 6 – 3. Brad Wilkerson hits the Expos’ final home run in the 9th inning, his 32nd of the year.

Steve Finley, for the second time in his career, hits a walk-off grand slam. The center fielder’s ninth-inning bases-loaded home run in the 7-3 win over the Giants at Chavez Ravine clinches the NL West title for the Dodgers. (Ed note: Charles Gottschalk inspired this entry – LP).

Steve Finley, for the second time in his career, hits a walk-off grand slam. The center fielder’s ninth-inning bases-loaded home run in the 7-3 win over the Giants at Chavez Ravine clinches the NL West title for the Dodgers. (Ed note: Charles Gottschalk inspired this entry – LP).