Cleveland scores five runs in the 1st inning, but the Yankees come back to win with five of their own in the 6th to defeat the Indians in Game one of their playoff series, 8 – 6. Tim Raines, Derek Jeter, and Paul O’Neill hit consecutive home runs in the decisive inning, giving Ramiro Mendoza the victory.

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Cleveland scores five runs in the 1st inning, but the Yankees come back to win with five of their own in the 6th to defeat the Indians in Game one of their playoff series, 8 – 6. Tim Raines, Derek Jeter, and Paul O’Neill hit consecutive home runs in the decisive inning, giving Ramiro Mendoza the victory.

Eleven years to the day that the club won their last title, the Astros clinch the NL Central Division

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Eleven years to the day that the club won their last title, the Astros clinch the NL Central Division by beating the Cubs, 9-1. Houston manages to capture the flag despite being only five games over .500.

The Cubs beat the Phils, 11 – 3, but Curt Schilling racks up eight strikeouts to match J.R. Richard for the most Ks by a National League righty (313). He’ll finish with 319 strikeouts. Ryne Sandberg, in his final game at Wrigley Field, is 2 for 3 before leaving for a pinch runner in the 5th. He makes a curtain call in the 7th when Harry Caray sings. Kevin Tapani wins his 6th straight start.

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The Cubs beat the Phils, 11 – 3, but Curt Schilling racks up eight strikeouts to match J.R. Richard for the most Ks by a National League righty (313). He’ll finish with 319 strikeouts. Ryne Sandberg, in his final game at Wrigley Field, is 2 for 3 before leaving for a pinch runner in the 5th. He makes a curtain call in the 7th when Harry Caray sings. Kevin Tapani wins his 6th straight start.

Cardinal Mark McGwire becomes the first major leaguer to hit 20 home runs for two different teams in the same season. ‘Big Mac’ had hit 34 with the A’s before being traded to St. Louis.

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Cardinal Mark McGwire becomes the first major leaguer to hit 20 home runs for two different teams in the same season. ‘Big Mac’ had hit 34 with the A’s before being traded to St. Louis.

Matt Williams pulls the hidden ball trick for the third time, nabbing rookie Jed Hansen

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Matt Williams must have an honest face, because he pulls the hidden ball trick for the third time, nabbing rookie Jed Hansen, in the Indians’ 6 – 2 win over the Royals in the second game of a doubleheader. Williams uses the same ploy in all three instances. He asks the runner if he would step away from the bag so that he can brush off the dirt. The runners comply, and Williams slaps the tag on. The Royals win the opener, 10 – 3.

Mark McGwire blasts his 53rd homer, the most since 1961, to pace the Cards to a 12 – 9 win over the Cubs. Rod Myers serves up the gopher ball.

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Mark McGwire blasts his 53rd homer, the most since 1961, to pace the Cards to a 12 – 9 win over the Cubs. Rod Myers serves up the gopher ball.

Ryan Klesko has four hits including a grand slam off Bobby Jones, to pace the Braves to a 10 – 2 win over the Mets. Jones faces eight batters, walking four and retiring none. Greg Maddux easily wins his 19th. Klesko’s slam gives the Braves 12 for the year, a new major league record. The Braves set another record as they become the first team to clinch six straight postseason appearances.

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Ryan Klesko has four hits including a grand slam off Bobby Jones, to pace the Braves to a 10 – 2 win over the Mets. Jones faces eight batters, walking four and retiring none. Greg Maddux easily wins his 19th. Klesko’s slam gives the Braves 12 for the year, a new major league record. The Braves set another record as they become the first team to clinch six straight postseason appearances.

Jimmy Key, 0-7 in his last nine starts at Camden Yards, beats the Cleveland Indians, 7 – 2, to give the Orioles a split in a day-night doubleheader. Roberto Alomar has three hits and three RBIs and Brady Anderson and Rafael Palmeiro homer in the win. In the opener, Charles Nagy pitches five-hit ball into the 7th inning and Matt Williams drives home two runs to lead the Indians to a 4 – 2 victory.

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Jimmy Key, 0-7 in his last nine starts at Camden Yards, beats the Cleveland Indians, 7 – 2, to give the Orioles a split in a day-night doubleheader. Roberto Alomar has three hits and three RBIs and Brady Anderson and Rafael Palmeiro homer in the win. In the opener, Charles Nagy pitches five-hit ball into the 7th inning and Matt Williams drives home two runs to lead the Indians to a 4 – 2 victory.

In Miami, Florida’s Bobby Bonilla fouls off six two-strike pitches before blasting a grand slam with two outs in the 9th inning to give the Marlins a dramatic 9 – 6 win. For Bonilla, it is his 8th career slam. Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga, and Vinny Castilla homer for Colorado, which sets a National League record with 223 homers this year.

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In Miami, Florida’s Bobby Bonilla fouls off six two-strike pitches before blasting a grand slam with two outs in the 9th inning to give the Marlins a dramatic 9 – 6 win. For Bonilla, it is his 8th career slam. Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga, and Vinny Castilla homer for Colorado, which sets a National League record with 223 homers this year.

Mark McGwire hits his 52nd home run hours after signing a three-year contract with the Cards for $28.5 million. But Cardinals closer Dennis Eckersley collapses in the 9th and the Dodgers come back to win, 7 – 6. McGwire’s 517-foot 1st-inning blast, the longest ever measured at Busch Stadium, ties him for the major league lead with Ken Griffey, Jr..

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Mark McGwire hits his 52nd home run hours after signing a three-year contract with the Cards for $28.5 million. But Cardinals closer Dennis Eckersley collapses in the 9th and the Dodgers come back to win, 7 – 6. McGwire’s 517-foot 1st-inning blast, the longest ever measured at Busch Stadium, ties him for the major league lead with Ken Griffey, Jr..