The Brewers try a rare ploy in Game 5 of the NLCS as lefty starter Wade Miley is pulled after facing just one Dodgers batter

The Brewers try a rare ploy in Game 5 of the NLCS as lefty starter Wade Miley is pulled after facing just one Dodgers batter and replaced by righty Brandon Woodruff. This works for five innings, but the Dodgers score twice in the 6th and twice in the 7th to back up a strong performance by Clayton Kershaw and win the game, 5 – 2.

The Cardinals complete their very unlikely run to the World Series by beating the Brewers, 12 – 6, in Game 6 of the NLCS

The Cardinals complete their very unlikely run to the World Series by beating the Brewers, 12 – 6, in Game 6 of the NLCS

The Cardinals complete their very unlikely run to the World Series by beating the Brewers, 12 – 6, in Game 6 of the NLCS at Miller Park. Series MVP David Freese opens the scoring with a three-run homer off Shaun Marcum in the 1st, but the Brewers once again manage to chase the Cards’ starter early, scoring 4 runs off Edwin Jackson in 2 innings. However, the Cardinals’ bats do not stop pounding, getting solo homers from Rafael Furcal and Albert Pujols off Chris Narveson as they pull to a 9 – 4 lead after 3 innings. Their bullpen is once again strong, giving up only 2 runs over the last 7 frames to send them forward to a meeting with the Texas Rangers in the Fall Classic.

Phillies becomes the first National League team to repeat since the Braves won consecutive flags in 1995-96

Phillies becomes the first National League team to repeat since the Braves won consecutive flags in 1995-96

In Game 5 of the NLCS, the Phillies defeat the Dodgers, capturing their second straight pennant. Philadelphia, with their 10-4 victory at Citizens Bank Park, becomes the first National League team to repeat the feat since the Braves won consecutive flags in 1995-96.

The Astros advance to the World Series for the first time

The Astros advance to the World Series for the first time

The Astros, one of six teams to have never played in the World Series, break the franchise’s 43-year drought and advance to the Fall Classic, beating the Cardinals in the NLCS, 5-1. Houston had been close before, coming up short five times in their history in a game with the NL flag on the line, including being one strike away in Game 5 before Albert Pujols dashed the hometown dreams by hitting a two-strike, two out three-run ninth-inning homer, forcing a Game 6 in St. Louis.

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Jason Lane homers and Morgan Ensberg hits the decisive sacrifice fly to nip the Cardinals, 2-1, giving Houston a 3-1 edge in the N.L.C.S. Brandon Backe and four relievers hold St. Louis to just five hits. Frustrations spill over for the Redbirds as skipper Tony LaRussa and slugger Jim Edmonds are ejected for arguing pitches with home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Sparkling defense ends the ninth when Eric Bruntlett and Adam Everett turn a double play on John Mabry’s roller. 

2005 – Jason Lane homers and Morgan Ensberg hits the decisive sacrifice fly to nip the Cardinals, 2-1, giving Houston a 3-1 edge in the N.L.C.S. Brandon Backe and four relievers hold St. Louis to just five hits. Frustrations spill over for the Redbirds as skipper Tony LaRussa and slugger Jim Edmonds are ejected for arguing pitches with home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Sparkling defense ends the ninth when Eric Bruntlett and Adam Everett turn a double play on John Mabry’s roller. 

2005 – Roy Oswalt works seven innings of five-hit one-run ball and Brad Lidge throws two scoreless innings in relief as the Houston Astros pass the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 – 1. Rookie outfielder Chris Burke keeps up his unlikely postseason hitting, scoring two runs and driving in another with a two-out single. Burke came through in the NLDS with an 18th-inning walk-off home run that knocked out Atlanta, and he had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in Houston’s Game 1 loss to St. Louis. Houston evens the best-of-seven series at one game apiece and heads home for the next three contests.

2005 – Roy Oswalt works seven innings of five-hit one-run ball and Brad Lidge throws two scoreless innings in relief as the Houston Astros pass the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 – 1. Rookie outfielder Chris Burke keeps up his unlikely postseason hitting, scoring two runs and driving in another with a two-out single. Burke came through in the NLDS with an 18th-inning walk-off home run that knocked out Atlanta, and he had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in Houston’s Game 1 loss to St. Louis. Houston evens the best-of-seven series at one game apiece and heads home for the next three contests.

2004 – Heartbreak again. Houston owns a 2-1 lead with Roger Clemens on the hill in the decisive Game Seven of the N.L.C.S. but Albert Pujols ties it with a double in the sixth then Scott Rolen unties it on the next pitch with a two-run homer. The Cardinals tack on an insurance run and win the series, 5-2, behind Jeff Suppan. Craig Biggio started the night perfectly with a solo homer . While not as close as the 1980 World Series, the Astros were in sniffing distance of this one before falling short. Still, they could look back on an improbable season that featured an amazing streak to make the playoffs and the first postseason series win in their history. 

2004 – Heartbreak again. Houston owns a 2-1 lead with Roger Clemens on the hill in the decisive Game Seven of the N.L.C.S. but Albert Pujols ties it with a double in the sixth then Scott Rolen unties it on the next pitch with a two-run homer. The Cardinals tack on an insurance run and win the series, 5-2, behind Jeff Suppan. Craig Biggio started the night perfectly with a solo homer . While not as close as the 1980 World Series, the Astros were in sniffing distance of this one before falling short. Still, they could look back on an improbable season that featured an amazing streak to make the playoffs and the first postseason series win in their history. 

Jim Edmonds hits a two-run walk-off homer in the 12th inning
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Jim Edmonds hits a two-run walk-off homer in the 12th inning

On October 20, 2004, At Busch Stadium in Game Six of the NLCS. Jeff Bagwell ties the Cardinals, 4-4, with a clutch two-out single in the ninth in Game Six of the N.L.C.S.  but Jim Edmonds gives St. Louis the 6-4 decision with a two-run homer walk off vs Dan Miceli in the 12th to tie…

2004 – Roger Clemens cools off the Cardinal bats with seven innings of four-hit ball as the Astros win Game Three of the N.L.C.S., 5-2. Jeff Kent homers in the opening frame and Houston nurses a 3-2 advantage until Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman drill solo shots to give the bullpen some breathing room . St. Louis still leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1. 
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2004 – Roger Clemens cools off the Cardinal bats with seven innings of four-hit ball as the Astros win Game Three of the N.L.C.S., 5-2. Jeff Kent homers in the opening frame and Houston nurses a 3-2 advantage until Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman drill solo shots to give the bullpen some breathing room . St. Louis still leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1. 

2004 – Roger Clemens cools off the Cardinal bats with seven innings of four-hit ball as the Astros win Game Three of the N.L.C.S., 5-2. Jeff Kent homers in the opening frame and Houston nurses a 3-2 advantage until Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman drill solo shots to give the bullpen some breathing room . St. Louis still leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1.