With the Mets’ backs to the wall, Johan Santana pitches a three-hit 2 – 0 shutout against the Marlins. When the Brewers lose, 7 – 3, to Ted Lilly and the Cubs later today, the two teams are tied in the National League Wild Card race with only one game to play.

ByThis Day in Baseball

With the Mets’ backs to the wall, Johan Santana pitches a three-hit 2 – 0 shutout against the Marlins. When the Brewers lose, 7 – 3, to Ted Lilly and the Cubs later today, the two teams are tied in the National League Wild Card race with only one game to play.

The Rays, although they suffer a 6-4 defeat to the Tigers, win their first American League East title when the Red Sox lose to the Yankees later in the evening. Skipper Joe Maddon and just a few players remained in the Comerica Park clubhouse to watch the end of the rain-delayed contest in Boston which brings the title to Tampa Bay.

ByBaseball

The Rays, although they suffer a 6-4 defeat to the Tigers, win their first American League East title when the Red Sox lose to the Yankees later in the evening. Skipper Joe Maddon and just a few players remained in the Comerica Park clubhouse to watch the end of the rain-delayed contest in Boston which brings the title to Tampa Bay.

The Yankees crush the Red Sox, 19 – 8, on a rainy night at Fenway Park. Back-up shortstop Cody Ransom hits two homers while Robinson Cano drives in 5 runs and Brett Gardner 4 more in the rout. Boston’s loss means that Tampa Bay officially clinches the AL East division title. It is the first time since 1997 that neither Boston nor New York has won the AL East. Tampa Bay had never won 70 games in a season before this year.

ByBaseball

The Yankees crush the Red Sox, 19 – 8, on a rainy night at Fenway Park. Back-up shortstop Cody Ransom hits two homers while Robinson Cano drives in 5 runs and Brett Gardner 4 more in the rout. Boston’s loss means that Tampa Bay officially clinches the AL East division title. It is the first time since 1997 that neither Boston nor New York has won the AL East. Tampa Bay had never won 70 games in a season before this year.

The Brewers move one game ahead of the Mets in the National League Wild Card race with a 5 – 1 win against the Cubs. Rickie Weeks’ three-run home run in the 7th is the big blow for the Brew Crew. Seth McClung pitches four innings of scoreless relief for the win.

ByBaseball

The Brewers move one game ahead of the Mets in the National League Wild Card race with a 5 – 1 win against the Cubs. Rickie Weeks’ three-run home run in the 7th is the big blow for the Brew Crew. Seth McClung pitches four innings of scoreless relief for the win.

The Diamondbacks, defending division champions, lose to St. Louis, 12-3, allowing the Dodgers to clinch the NL West. Los Angeles first-year skipper Joe Torre’s 13-year postseason streak continues, unlike the Yankees, his former team.

ByTom

The Diamondbacks, defending division champions, lose to St. Louis, 12-3, allowing the Dodgers to clinch the NL West. Los Angeles first-year skipper Joe Torre’s 13-year postseason streak continues, unlike the Yankees, his former team.

Roy Halladay, giving up six hits and two runs in his ninth complete game of the season, posts his second 20-win season with an 8-2 victory over the Yankees at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays right-hander, en route to the Cy Young Award, compiled a 22-7 record in 2003.

ByBaseball

Roy Halladay, giving up six hits and two runs in his ninth complete game of the season, posts his second 20-win season with an 8-2 victory over the Yankees at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays right-hander, en route to the Cy Young Award, compiled a 22-7 record in 2003.

Mark Reynolds strikes out for the 200th time, breaking the major league record set last year by Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. The Diamondbacks third baseman will extend the dubious mark to 204 by season’s end.

ByTom

Mark Reynolds strikes out for the 200th time, breaking the major league record set last year by Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. The Diamondbacks third baseman will extend the dubious mark to 204 by season’s end.

Ryan Braun hits a grand slam off Jesse Chavez with two outs in the bottom of the 10th to break a 1 – 1 tie and help Milwaukee to a 5 – 1 win over Pittsburgh. Milwaukee remains just short of New York in the wild card race; they will go on to win it.

ByBaseball

Ryan Braun hits a grand slam off Jesse Chavez with two outs in the bottom of the 10th to break a 1 – 1 tie and help Milwaukee to a 5 – 1 win over Pittsburgh. Milwaukee remains just short of New York in the wild card race; they will go on to win it.

The Mets stay just ahead in the wild card race, beating the Cubs, 7 – 6. In a losing cause, Micah Hoffpauir goes 5 for 5 and hits his first two big league home runs.

ByBaseball

The Mets stay just ahead in the wild card race, beating the Cubs, 7 – 6. In a losing cause, Micah Hoffpauir goes 5 for 5 and hits his first two big league home runs.

2008 – The Pirates come to terms with Pedro Alvarez, whom they picked in the first round of this year’s amateur draft. Alvarez had previously given his verbal agreement to a deal but agent Scott Boras claimed it was after the deadline. Major League Baseball had placed Alvarez on the restricted list and the MLBPA filed a grievance, resulting in the case being sent to an arbitrator. Before a decision could be made, Pittsburgh and Alvarez again reached an agreement. The MLBPA therefore drops its appeal.

ByBaseball

2008 – The Pirates come to terms with Pedro Alvarez, whom they picked in the first round of this year’s amateur draft. Alvarez had previously given his verbal agreement to a deal but agent Scott Boras claimed it was after the deadline. Major League Baseball had placed Alvarez on the restricted list and the MLBPA filed a grievance, resulting in the case being sent to an arbitrator. Before a decision could be made, Pittsburgh and Alvarez again reached an agreement. The MLBPA therefore drops its appeal.