2012 – The Giants even the NLCS with a 7 – 1 victory over the Cardinals in Game 2. After being leveled by a sliding Matt Holliday trying to break up a potential double play in the 1st, 2B Marco Scutaro delivers the key blow with a two-run single in the 4th. Scutaro makes way for Ryan Theriot in the 5th, victim of a hip injury sustained on the 1st-inning play, but he has done enough to fire up the Giants. Ryan Vogelsong is the winner over Chris Carpenter.

ByBaseball

2012 – The Giants even the NLCS with a 7 – 1 victory over the Cardinals in Game 2. After being leveled by a sliding Matt Holliday trying to break up a potential double play in the 1st, 2B Marco Scutaro delivers the key blow with a two-run single in the 4th. Scutaro makes way for Ryan Theriot in the 5th, victim of a hip injury sustained on the 1st-inning play, but he has done enough to fire up the Giants. Ryan Vogelsong is the winner over Chris Carpenter.

The Reds sign Dusty Baker to a two-year contract extension, giving their 63 year-old manager another chance to take the team beyond the first round of the playoffs. Cincinnati has participated in the postseason in two of the last three years, including this season’s heartbreaking loss in the NLDS, losing the previous three contests at home in a five-game series to San Francisco.

ByTom

The Reds sign Dusty Baker to a two-year contract extension, giving their 63 year-old manager another chance to take the team beyond the first round of the playoffs. Cincinnati has participated in the postseason in two of the last three years, including this season’s heartbreaking loss in the NLDS, losing the previous three contests at home in a five-game series to San Francisco.

The Texas Rangers advance to the World Series for the second straight year by routing the Detroit Tigers, 15 – 5, in Game 6 of the ALCS. Detroit takes an early lead against Derek Holland with solo homers by Miguel Cabrera in the 1st and Jhonny Peralta in the 2nd, but the Rangers explode for 9 runs to chase Max Scherzer in the 3rd. Michael Young hits a pair of two-run doubles in the inning, then adds a solo homer in the 7th, and Nelson Cruz hits his 6th homer of the Series in the 7th, on his way to being named ALCS MVP.

ByBaseball

The Texas Rangers advance to the World Series for the second straight year by routing the Detroit Tigers, 15 – 5, in Game 6 of the ALCS. Detroit takes an early lead against Derek Holland with solo homers by Miguel Cabrera in the 1st and Jhonny Peralta in the 2nd, but the Rangers explode for 9 runs to chase Max Scherzer in the 3rd. Michael Young hits a pair of two-run doubles in the inning, then adds a solo homer in the 7th, and Nelson Cruz hits his 6th homer of the Series in the 7th, on his way to being named ALCS MVP.

2009 – Philadelphia wins Game 1 of the NLCS, 8 – 6 over Los Angeles, thanks to three-run homers by Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez. James Loney and Manny Ramirez go deep off Cole Hamels for the Dodgers, but their efforts are only worth three runs. Brad Lidge saves his 3rd straight postseason win for the Phillies.

ByBaseball

2009 – Philadelphia wins Game 1 of the NLCS, 8 – 6 over Los Angeles, thanks to three-run homers by Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez. James Loney and Manny Ramirez go deep off Cole Hamels for the Dodgers, but their efforts are only worth three runs. Brad Lidge saves his 3rd straight postseason win for the Phillies.

2008 – The Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5 – 1, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to clinch the National League pennant. Cole Hamels wins his second game of the series and is named NLCS Most Valuable Player.

ByBaseball

2008 – The Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5 – 1, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to clinch the National League pennant. Cole Hamels wins his second game of the series and is named NLCS Most Valuable Player.

Colorado Rockies advance to their first World Series

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 15, 2007, the Colorado Rockies advance to their first World Series. The Rockies sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 6-4 victory in Game Four of the National League Championship Series. The victory is the red-hot Rockies 20th in their previous 21 games. The Rockies become the first team to sweep the first two…

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2005 – Houston grabs a 2-1 lead in the N.L.C.S. with a 4-3 triumph over St. Louis. Mike Lamb doubles and homers to key a pair of two-run rallies  while Roger Clemens, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge hold the Redbirds to seven hits. Craig Biggio adds a pair of hits. 

ByTom

2005 – Houston grabs a 2-1 lead in the N.L.C.S. with a 4-3 triumph over St. Louis. Mike Lamb doubles and homers to key a pair of two-run rallies  while Roger Clemens, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge hold the Redbirds to seven hits. Craig Biggio adds a pair of hits. 

In the ALCS, Freddy Garcia continues the powerful pitching parade that has guided the Chicago White Sox to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by tossing a complete game as the Angels are defeated, 8 – 2. Paul Konerko hits a three-run home run off Ervin Santana in the 1st inning, the second straight game in which he has gone deep in the 1st. Garcia joins Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle to give the White Sox a formidable streak of three consecutive complete games.

ByBaseball

In the ALCS, Freddy Garcia continues the powerful pitching parade that has guided the Chicago White Sox to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by tossing a complete game as the Angels are defeated, 8 – 2. Paul Konerko hits a three-run home run off Ervin Santana in the 1st inning, the second straight game in which he has gone deep in the 1st. Garcia joins Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle to give the White Sox a formidable streak of three consecutive complete games.

2003 – Steve Bartman, the Cubs fan who deflected a foul ball in Game 6 of the NLCS, releases a statement explaining his actions. During a weepy apology, the 26-year-old human resources company worker asks Cubs fans to redirect their negative energy into positive support for the team during Game 7 of the series. Alas, the Cubs will lose that game and, once again, miss out on a World Series participation.

ByBaseball

2003 – Steve Bartman, the Cubs fan who deflected a foul ball in Game 6 of the NLCS, releases a statement explaining his actions. During a weepy apology, the 26-year-old human resources company worker asks Cubs fans to redirect their negative energy into positive support for the team during Game 7 of the series. Alas, the Cubs will lose that game and, once again, miss out on a World Series participation.

2002 – Kirk Gibson signs a three-year deal to become the bench coach of the Detroit Tigers. The aggressive former outfielder joins the staff of his former 1984 teammate on the World Champion Tigers, newly-hired Detroit manager Alan Trammell.

ByBaseball

2002 – Kirk Gibson signs a three-year deal to become the bench coach of the Detroit Tigers. The aggressive former outfielder joins the staff of his former 1984 teammate on the World Champion Tigers, newly-hired Detroit manager Alan Trammell.