2013 – The Pirates win the National League Wild Card Game, 6 – 2, over the Reds thanks to a pair of home runs by Russell Martin and one by Marlon Byrd to back the pitching of Francisco Liriano, who needs only 27 pitches to retire the Reds in order in the first three innings to set the tone for the game. It is the Pirates’ first postseason win since the 1992 NLCS.
The champagne also flows in Kansas City, MO, where the Tigers defeat the Royals, 6 – 3, to clinch the AL Central title. Miguel Cabrera hits his 44th home run in the game. In deference to their star slugger, who is leading the AL in all three triple crown categories but who has had trouble with alcohol abuse in the past, the Tigers choose to celebrate with an alcohol-free bubbly.
The Athletics crown an improbable playoff run by defeating the Rangers, 4 – 3, securing at least a wild card spot in the American League. They can still win the AL West crown if they defeat the Rangers in their last three games. The Athletics had traded away two All-Star starters during the off-season, then lost their only three experienced starting pitchers – Bartolo Colon, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson – during the season, going with an all-rookie starting rotation during an 8-4 run that clinched the playoff slot.
The Nationals are shut out by Philadelphia, 2 – 0, but still clinch their first NL East title since their move to Washington, DC in 2005 when the Braves lose to the Pirates, 2 – 1.
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