The Marlins attract 34,615 fans to their finale at Dolphin Stadium, now known as Sun Life Stadium, but will still post the poorest attendance in the National League for the sixth consecutive year. The last-place club, which has played in its current venue during the first 19 years of the franchise’s existence, will play next season’s home games in a new ballpark with a retractable roof located on approximately 17 acres of the historic 42-acre Orange Bowl site in the Little Havana section of Miami.

The Cardinals cap a remarkable final month by winning the National League wild card. On the season’s final day, Chris Carpenter shuts out Houston, 8 – 0, while Atlanta loses, 4 – 3, to Philadelphia in 13 innings. Rookie Craig Kimbrel, outstanding all year for Atlanta, falters by blowing a save opportunity in the 9th. The Cards were 10 games back of the Braves on August 25th.

Eric O’Flaherty, who induces a double play from the only batter he faces in the Braves’ 4-3 loss to Philadelphia, finishes the season with a microscopic 0.98 ERA. The 26 year-old southpaw’s earned run average is the lowest ever posted by a pitcher with 75 or more appearances.

On the final day of the season, the Brewers beat the Pirates 7-3, for their 96th victory of the season to break the franchise record for victories, established in 1979 and tied in 1982. The National League Central Division champs finish the season 96-66, the second best record in the circuit, trailing only Philadelphia.

Jose Reyes takes himself out of the season finale, after laying down a bunt single off Edinson Volquez in the first inning of the Mets’ 3-0 victory over Cincinnati at Citi Field. The infield hit, which will be his last for the Mets until returning to the club in 2016, raises the shortstop’s average to a league-leading .337, nudging Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun for the NL batting crown, the first in franchise history.

With a Tampa Bay loss all but assured, the Red Sox, appearing to need just a win to advance to the ALDS or to Tampa Bay for a one-game playoff if they lose, become optimistic about their chances for a playoff spot with their 3-2 lead over Baltimore, and the Rays trailing New York, 7-0. Boston will drop a 4-3 walk-off decision when the Birds score two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and moments later will see their season come to a crushing end when Evan Longoria hits a solo homer in the bottom of the 12th inning, giving the Rays an unbelievable comeback victory and the AL Wild Card.

With their season-finale extra-inning victory over Atlanta, the Phillies set a team record with their 102nd win of the campaign. The 4-3 victory also moves skipper Charlie Manuel (646-488) past Gene Mauch for the most wins by a manager in the history of the franchise.