At Game 2 of the NLCS played at Petco Park, Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who recently became baseball’s all-time saves leader, catches the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Lee Smith, the reliever he surpassed with his 479th save. The two ‘firemen’ exchange autographed baseballs after the toss.

ByTom

At Game 2 of the NLCS played at Petco Park, Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who recently became baseball’s all-time saves leader, catches the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Lee Smith, the reliever he surpassed with his 479th save. The two ‘firemen’ exchange autographed baseballs after the toss.

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Morgan Ensberg drives in five runs on three singles and a bases-loaded walk to pace a 10-5 victory in Atlanta in Game One of the N.L.D.S.  Andy Pettitte allows four hits over seven innings for his 14th career postseason win. The .081-hitting Pettitte adds a double and two sacrifice bunts that lead to runs. Craig Biggio scores three times. 

ByTom

2005 – Morgan Ensberg drives in five runs on three singles and a bases-loaded walk to pace a 10-5 victory in Atlanta in Game One of the N.L.D.S.  Andy Pettitte allows four hits over seven innings for his 14th career postseason win. The .081-hitting Pettitte adds a double and two sacrifice bunts that lead to runs. Craig Biggio scores three times. 

St. Louis ousts the defending world champion Arizona Diamondbacks by taking a 6 – 3 win to sweep into the National League Division Series. David Dellucci and Rod Barajas hit home runs for Arizona, but it’s not enough to stop St. Louis. Jeff Fassero picks up his second win of the series in relief.

ByBaseball

St. Louis ousts the defending world champion Arizona Diamondbacks by taking a 6 – 3 win to sweep into the National League Division Series. David Dellucci and Rod Barajas hit home runs for Arizona, but it’s not enough to stop St. Louis. Jeff Fassero picks up his second win of the series in relief.

The Atlanta Braves take a 2 – 1 lead in their NLDS with a 10 – 2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Keith Lockhart homers for Atlanta and Barry Bonds for San Francisco. Pitcher Greg Maddux goes the first six innings for the victory.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Atlanta Braves take a 2 – 1 lead in their NLDS with a 10 – 2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Keith Lockhart homers for Atlanta and Barry Bonds for San Francisco. Pitcher Greg Maddux goes the first six innings for the victory.

Minnesota evens its ALDS with Oakland behind Eric Milton, winning by a score of 11 – 2. Doug Mientkiewicz homers for Minnesota and Miguel Tejada for Oakland.

ByBaseball

Minnesota evens its ALDS with Oakland behind Eric Milton, winning by a score of 11 – 2. Doug Mientkiewicz homers for Minnesota and Miguel Tejada for Oakland.

For the first time in its 42 year-old history, the Angels win a playoff series when they beat Yankees, 9-5, to take the ALDS 3 games to 1. The postseason appearance is the first for the Halos since 1986 when, after being a strike away in Game 5 of the ALCS from advancing to the World Series, the team lost to the Red Sox in seven games.

ByBaseball

For the first time in its 42 year-old history, the Angels win a playoff series when they beat Yankees, 9-5, to take the ALDS 3 games to 1. The postseason appearance is the first for the Halos since 1986 when, after being a strike away in Game 5 of the ALCS from advancing to the World Series, the team lost to the Red Sox in seven games.

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2001 – With their season in turmoil, Lance Berkman delivers twice in a crucial 2-1 triumph in St. Louis, clinching a tie for a playoff spot. Berkman homers off Jeff Tabaka in the eighth to tie it then doubles home Craig Biggio in the ninth for the game-winner. 

ByTom

2001 – With their season in turmoil, Lance Berkman delivers twice in a crucial 2-1 triumph in St. Louis, clinching a tie for a playoff spot. Berkman homers off Jeff Tabaka in the eighth to tie it then doubles home Craig Biggio in the ninth for the game-winner. 

Arizona’s Albie Lopez hurls a three-hit shutout to beat the Brewers at Miller Park, 5-0. The Diamondback victory clinches a tie for the NL West flag, and with the win, the 30 year-old right-hander avoids becoming the first 20-game loser since Brian Kingman accomplished the feat in 1980.

ByTom

Arizona’s Albie Lopez hurls a three-hit shutout to beat the Brewers at Miller Park, 5-0. The Diamondback victory clinches a tie for the NL West flag, and with the win, the 30 year-old right-hander avoids becoming the first 20-game loser since Brian Kingman accomplished the feat in 1980.

In the longest nine-inning game in major league history, Barry Bonds breaks and then extends the mark for home runs in a season during the 4 hours and 27 minutes, 11-10 loss to the Dodgers at Pac Bell Park. The Giant outfielder connects off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park to break Mark McGwire’s 1998 record of 70 and then homers again in his next at-bat to extend his record to 72.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the longest nine-inning game in major league history, Barry Bonds breaks and then extends the mark for home runs in a season during the 4 hours and 27 minutes, 11-10 loss to the Dodgers at Pac Bell Park. The Giant outfielder connects off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park to break Mark McGwire’s 1998 record of 70 and then homers again in his next at-bat to extend his record to 72.

The Seattle Mariners record their 115th victory of the season when they beat Texas, 6-2, at Safeco Field, breaking the 1998 Yankee record for most wins in an American League season. The team will tie 1906 Cubs for the major league record of 116 wins when they add their final victory tomorrow in the next to last contest of the campaign.

ByBaseball

The Seattle Mariners record their 115th victory of the season when they beat Texas, 6-2, at Safeco Field, breaking the 1998 Yankee record for most wins in an American League season. The team will tie 1906 Cubs for the major league record of 116 wins when they add their final victory tomorrow in the next to last contest of the campaign.