The Dodgers advance to their second consecutive National League championship series, beating St. Louis 5-1 to complete a three-game sweep of the Redbirds in the NLDS. Solid pitching by late-season pick-up Vicente Padilla and timely hitting by Andre Ethier, who had three extra-base hits, and Manny Ramirez, who broke out of a slump with three hits and two RBIs, close out the series, which will be best remembered for the team’s dramatic Game 2 comeback when Matt Holliday’s error on James Loney’s ninth-inning two-out line drive leads to a stunning two-run walk-off rally.

ByTom

The Dodgers advance to their second consecutive National League championship series, beating St. Louis 5-1 to complete a three-game sweep of the Redbirds in the NLDS. Solid pitching by late-season pick-up Vicente Padilla and timely hitting by Andre Ethier, who had three extra-base hits, and Manny Ramirez, who broke out of a slump with three hits and two RBIs, close out the series, which will be best remembered for the team’s dramatic Game 2 comeback when Matt Holliday’s error on James Loney’s ninth-inning two-out line drive leads to a stunning two-run walk-off rally.

Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel is informed of the death of his mother his mother earlier in the day at a Virginia hospital after a brief illness. The grieving skipper, one of ten of June’s children, stays with the team and directs his club to an 8-5 victory against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park in Game 2 of the NLDS.

ByBaseball

Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel is informed of the death of his mother his mother earlier in the day at a Virginia hospital after a brief illness. The grieving skipper, one of ten of June’s children, stays with the team and directs his club to an 8-5 victory against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park in Game 2 of the NLDS.

2005 – Rookie Ervin Santana pitches 5 1/3 strong innings in his postseason debut, Garret Anderson hits a home run and drives in two runs, and Adam Kennedy hits a go-ahead two-run triple, to lead the Angels over New York, 5 – 3, in the decisive Game 5 of their AL playoff series.

ByBaseball

2005 – Rookie Ervin Santana pitches 5 1/3 strong innings in his postseason debut, Garret Anderson hits a home run and drives in two runs, and Adam Kennedy hits a go-ahead two-run triple, to lead the Angels over New York, 5 – 3, in the decisive Game 5 of their AL playoff series.

The Phillies fire Ed Wade as their general manager, although the team( 88-74) has had three straight winning seasons and missed a chance of being the wild card by only one game this season. Philadelphia has not played in the postseason for 12 consecutive years, including the last eight seasons with Wade calling the shots.

ByBaseball

The Phillies fire Ed Wade as their general manager, although the team( 88-74) has had three straight winning seasons and missed a chance of being the wild card by only one game this season. Philadelphia has not played in the postseason for 12 consecutive years, including the last eight seasons with Wade calling the shots.

Rafael Palmeiro is spared perjury charges when a Congressional subcommittee decides to not prosecute him following its investigation. The former Orioles’ first baseman/DH had piqued the legislators’ interest when he tested positive for steroids four months after pointing his finger at the committee during a Capitol Hill hearing, emphatically denying that he had used performance-enhancing substances.

ByBaseball

Rafael Palmeiro is spared perjury charges when a Congressional subcommittee decides to not prosecute him following its investigation. The former Orioles’ first baseman/DH had piqued the legislators’ interest when he tested positive for steroids four months after pointing his finger at the committee during a Capitol Hill hearing, emphatically denying that he had used performance-enhancing substances.

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Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run  and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S.

ByTom

2004 – Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run  and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S. with a chance to advance. Then Chad Qualls gives up a three-run homer to Adam Laroche and the Braves push across the winning run in the ninth to steal a 6-5 verdict and fly back to Atlanta for a decisive fifth game. Jeff Kent rolls into a double play with two men on in the bottom of the ninth to end a painful day – made worse by the news of ex-teammate Ken Caminiti’s death in New York at age 41. 

2004 – The Cardinals advance to the NLCS for third time in five years, beating the Dodgers, 6 – 2, to win their first-round playoff 3 games to 1.

ByBaseball

2004 – The Cardinals advance to the NLCS for third time in five years, beating the Dodgers, 6 – 2, to win their first-round playoff 3 games to 1.

With six hits in six consecutive at-bats, Kenny Lofton sets an NLCS record and ties the ALCS mark. Gary Matthews (Phillies-1983), Will Clark (Giants-1989), Steve Buechele (Pirates-1991), and Javy Lopez (Braves-1996) all held the previous NL distinction with five consecutive hits, and Paul Molitor (Blue Jays-1993) established the major league standard, now shared with the Cub flychaser, with reaching safely six times in six consecutive at-bats.

ByThis Day in Baseball

With six hits in six consecutive at-bats, Kenny Lofton sets an NLCS record and ties the ALCS mark. Gary Matthews (Phillies-1983), Will Clark (Giants-1989), Steve Buechele (Pirates-1991), and Javy Lopez (Braves-1996) all held the previous NL distinction with five consecutive hits, and Paul Molitor (Blue Jays-1993) established the major league standard, now shared with the Cub flychaser, with reaching safely six times in six consecutive at-bats.

The Cubs take a 2-1 game advantage in the NLCS when they beat the Marlins in extra innings at Pro Player Stadium, 5-4. The eventual winning run scores in the top of the 11th when Doug Glanville triples off Florida’s Brandon Looper to plate Kenny Lofton, who had singled after the first out was made in the frame.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Cubs take a 2-1 game advantage in the NLCS when they beat the Marlins in extra innings at Pro Player Stadium, 5-4. The eventual winning run scores in the top of the 11th when Doug Glanville triples off Florida’s Brandon Looper to plate Kenny Lofton, who had singled after the first out was made in the frame.

2002 – San Francisco take a 2 games to 0 lead in the NLCS with a 4 – 1 win over the Cardinals. Jason Schmidt pitches shutout ball into the 8th inning while SS Rich Aurilia hits a pair of home runs with three RBI.

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2002 – San Francisco take a 2 games to 0 lead in the NLCS with a 4 – 1 win over the Cardinals. Jason Schmidt pitches shutout ball into the 8th inning while SS Rich Aurilia hits a pair of home runs with three RBI.