Both National League Division Series are tied at one game apiece, as the Pirates defeat the Cardinals, 7 – 1, behind an excellent performance by P Gerrit Cole in one NLDS, and the Braves edge Los Angeles, 4 – 3, in the other NLDS.

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Both National League Division Series are tied at one game apiece, as the Pirates defeat the Cardinals, 7 – 1, behind an excellent performance by P Gerrit Cole in one NLDS, and the Braves edge Los Angeles, 4 – 3, in the other NLDS.

A day after the regular season comes to an end, the Red Sox fire Bobby Valentine, just ten months into his tenure as their manager. In their worst campaign since 1965, the team finishes in last place with a 69-93 record.

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A day after the regular season comes to an end, the Red Sox fire Bobby Valentine, just ten months into his tenure as their manager. In their worst campaign since 1965, the team finishes in last place with a 69-93 record.

The Phillies take a 2-1 lead in the other NLDS, beating St. Louis, 3 – 2, on a three-run pinch homer by Ben Francisco off Jaime Garcia in the 7th inning. The Cardinals manage to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the 8th, but Ryan Madson comes in to induce Allen Craig to hit into an inning-ending double play that ends the threat. Cole Hamels is the winner.

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The Phillies take a 2-1 lead in the other NLDS, beating St. Louis, 3 – 2, on a three-run pinch homer by Ben Francisco off Jaime Garcia in the 7th inning. The Cardinals manage to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the 8th, but Ryan Madson comes in to induce Allen Craig to hit into an inning-ending double play that ends the threat. Cole Hamels is the winner.

The Rangers end the Rays’ season with a 4 – 3 win in Game 4 of their ALDS. Adrian Beltre hits three homers and Ian Kinsler one to account for all of Texas’s runs. The Rays manage a run off closer Neftali Feliz in the bottom of the 9th but end up short as Feliz picks up his third save of the series.

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The Rangers end the Rays’ season with a 4 – 3 win in Game 4 of their ALDS. Adrian Beltre hits three homers and Ian Kinsler one to account for all of Texas’s runs. The Rays manage a run off closer Neftali Feliz in the bottom of the 9th but end up short as Feliz picks up his third save of the series.

The Yankees tie their ALDS with Detroit at two games each with a 10 – 1 rout at Comerica Park. Due to the suspension of Game 1 which cost the two teams an off-day, the Yankees have to start the unpredictable A.J. Burnett against Rick Porcello, but he responds with a solid performance. Burnett gives up a run in 5 2/3 innings after issuing three walks in the 1st. New York puts the game away by beating up Detroit’s bullpen for 6 8th-inning runs.

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The Yankees tie their ALDS with Detroit at two games each with a 10 – 1 rout at Comerica Park. Due to the suspension of Game 1 which cost the two teams an off-day, the Yankees have to start the unpredictable A.J. Burnett against Rick Porcello, but he responds with a solid performance. Burnett gives up a run in 5 2/3 innings after issuing three walks in the 1st. New York puts the game away by beating up Detroit’s bullpen for 6 8th-inning runs.

The Diamondbacks stave off elimination with an 8 – 1 win at home over Milwaukee in Game 3 of the NLDS. Rookie 1B Paul Goldschmidt hits a 5th-inning grand slam and drives in 5 runs as another rookie, Josh Collmenter, is the winner over Shaun Marcum.

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The Diamondbacks stave off elimination with an 8 – 1 win at home over Milwaukee in Game 3 of the NLDS. Rookie 1B Paul Goldschmidt hits a 5th-inning grand slam and drives in 5 runs as another rookie, Josh Collmenter, is the winner over Shaun Marcum.

A day after the season ends, the last-place Pirates fire John Russell, who equaled a franchise record for most losses by a manager in three seasons, compiling a 186-299 record. The other Buc skipper with as many defeats in the same time frame was Fred Haney, posting a 163-299 record from 1953-55.

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A day after the season ends, the last-place Pirates fire John Russell, who equaled a franchise record for most losses by a manager in three seasons, compiling a 186-299 record. The other Buc skipper with as many defeats in the same time frame was Fred Haney, posting a 163-299 record from 1953-55.

On a day three managers are sacked, the Reds give their skipper, Dusty Baker, a two-year contract extension through 2014. Cincinnati is making its first playoff appearance in 15 years.

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On a day three managers are sacked, the Reds give their skipper, Dusty Baker, a two-year contract extension through 2014. Cincinnati is making its first playoff appearance in 15 years.

The Mets fire manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya, a day after the team completes its fourth consecutive disappointing season. Assistant GM John Ricco will be the head of baseball operations on an interim basis until a new GM is hired, who in turn will select the team’s next manager.

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The Mets fire manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya, a day after the team completes its fourth consecutive disappointing season. Assistant GM John Ricco will be the head of baseball operations on an interim basis until a new GM is hired, who in turn will select the team’s next manager.

Diamondbacks interim manager Kirk Gibson is given the permanent job, agreeing to a two-year deal with a team option for 2013. The former hard-nosed major leaguer compiled a 34-49 record for the last-place team, after being hired midseason to replace A.J. Hinch.

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Diamondbacks interim manager Kirk Gibson is given the permanent job, agreeing to a two-year deal with a team option for 2013. The former hard-nosed major leaguer compiled a 34-49 record for the last-place team, after being hired midseason to replace A.J. Hinch.