Ultimate Game Timeline: Baseball’s Win-Or-Go-Home Games

2020

October 17, 2020, at Petco Park, San Diego
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros
AL Championship Series Game Seven
At Stake: Spot in World Series

The Rays eliminated the Astros 4-2 behind Charlie Morton, who won his third game of the post-season.

October 18, 2020, at Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves
NL Championship Series Game Seven
At Stake: Spot in World Series

Dodgers completed their comeback from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Braves and advance to the World Series for third time in four years. Julio Urias pitched three perfect innings of relief to finish off the game.

October 9, 2020, at Petco Park, San Diego
Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees
AL Division Series Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

Rays eked out a 2-1 win when they pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth on a home run by Mike Brosseau off New York closer Aroldis Chapman.

October 2, 2020, at Petco Park, San Diego
San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals
NL Wild Card Series Game Three
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

The Padres emptied their bullpen in this must-win game, using nine pitchers to shut out the Cardinals, 4-0. Eric Hosmer broke a scoreless tie in the fifth with a home run, and later added another RBI. It was the first playoff series victory for the Padres in 22 years.

October 1, 2020, at Oakland-Alameda Stadium
Oakland A’s vs, Chicago White Sox
AL Wild Card Series Game Three
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

The White Sox used four pitchers in the first three innings, and two in the first inning to desperately try to stave off the Athletics. The Sox staked themselves to a 3-0, but a two-run homer by Sean Murphy and two bases loaded walks in the fourth brought Oakland back. White Sox manager used nine pitchers, a record for an Ultimate Game, but it didn’t work: the A’s won 6-4, their first playoff series win in 14 years.

2019

October 10, 2019, at Minute Maid Park, Houston
Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays
ALDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in the ALCS

The Rays bounced back from an 0-2 deficit to force a Game Five, but they ran into the buzzsaw of Gerrit Cole, who dominated them again for his second win in the series. Cole went eight innings and struck out ten as the Astros (who scored four in the first inning), rolled to a 6-1 victory. The win put the ‘Stros in the ALCS for the third consecutive season.

October 9, 2019, at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
NLDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Dodgers led 3-1 through seven thanks to a gutsy outing by Walker Buehler. Manager Dave Roberts ran Clayton Kershaw out for his second relief inning and it backfired: Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto hit solo home runs to tie the game in the top of the eighth. In the tenth, Howie Kendrick became the hero when he slugged a grand slam that staked the Nats to a 7-3 lead, which proved to be the final score. It was the first postseason series win for the Nationals.

October 9, 2019, at Miller Park, Atlanta
Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals
NLDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Cardinals sent 14 men to the plate and set a postseason record by scoring ten runs in the first inning. Just like that, before the Atlanta crowd had a chance to settle in for a Tomahawk Chop, the game was over. The Cards went on to win 13-1, sending the Braves to their tenth straight Division Series loss.

October 2, 2019, at Oakland Coliseum
Oakland A’s vs. Tampa Bay Rays
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

The A’s were put on their heels immediately, falling behind in the first and trailing by four runs as they came to the plate in the third. Their bats never got on track, and Tampa starter Charlie Morton continued to show his postseason prowess as the Rays prevailed.

October 1, 2019, at Nationals Park, Washington D.C.
Washington Nationals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

The Brewers were in control of this game for seven innings and were four outs away from advancing when things unraveled. Juan Soto drilled a single off reliever Josh Hader in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded that probably would have only tied the game, but right fielder Michael Taylor misplayed a bad hop and all three Washington runners scampered home. Just like that, the game changed, and the Nats closed it out in the top of the ninth to advance to the NL Division Series.

2018

October 20, 2018, at Miller Park, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
NL Championship Series Game Seven
At Stake: NL Pennant

The Brewers used innovative pitching strategy to push the series to the limit, but their progression of pitchers finally showed a weak link in Game Seven. The Dodgers scored two runs in the second to erase the lead provided by Christian Yelich’s first inning homer. LA put it away in the sixth when Yasiel Puig smacked a three-run homer. Four Dodger relievers, including Clayton Kershaw in the ninth, tossed 4 1/3 innings of shutout relief to seal the victory and LA’s second straight pennant.

October 3, 2018, at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Oakland A’s
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

The hard-hitting Yankees dominated this game from the beginning, starting with Aaron Judge’s two-run homer in the first inning. Giancarlo Stanton added a homer and the Bombers cruised to a 7-2 win.

October 2, 2018, at Wrigley Field, Chicago
Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

One day after having to play a Game #163 to determine the division title (which they lost), the Cubs hosted the Rockies in the Wild Card Game. Starting pitchers Jon Lester and Kyle Freeland battled and the game dragged into extra innings tied at one run apiece. In the 13th the Rockies pushed across a run on three straight singles. The Cubs went down in order in their half of the frame and poof!, a little dynasty was finished.

2017

October 21,2017 at Minute Maid Park
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees
ALCS Game Seven
At Stake: American League Pennant

The Astros completed the series in which the home team won every game, defeating the Yankees 4-0 in Houston. Charlie Morton pitched five scoreless and Lance McCullers Jr. (a starting pitcher coming out of the pen), tossed four shutout innings to finish it off.

October 12, 2017 at Nationals Park
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
NLDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Cubs won a wild game that saw each team use seven pitchers. Wasshington manager Dusty Baker brought his ace Max Scherzer in for relief in the fifth inning with a one-run lead. Scherzer had a bizarre outing, hitting a batter, having a Cub batter reach via a catchers interference, and surrendered four runs, two of them unearned. The Nats battled back to get within a run but sabotaged their comeback in the eighth on a crucial play when Jose Lobaton was picked off first base with the tying run on second. Cubs’ closer Wade Davis got seven outs to ave a 9-8 win and send Chicago to their third straight NLCS.

October 11, 2017 at Progressive Field, Cleveland
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
ALDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

The Yankees completed a comeback from being down 0-2 in the series to the favored Indians, winners of 102 games in the regular season. It had to sting for Cleveland fans as former Indian ace C.C. Sabathia pitched for the Yankees and struck out nine batters in 4 2/3 gutsy innings. New York clung to a 3-2 lead but added two big runs in the ninth on a two-out single by Brett Gardner that proved to be too much for the Indians.

October 4, 2017 at Chase Field
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

The D-Backs built a 6-0 lead but saw ace Zack Greinke allow four runs to let the Rockies back in the game in the fourth. By the seventh inning the Rockies were within one, 6-5. But an unlikely hero came through with the big hit in the Snakes half of the seventh: relief pitcher Archie Bradley hit a two-run triple to make the score 8-5. The home team held on to win 11-7 and advance to the divisional series to face the Dodgers.

October 3, 2017 at Yankee Stadium
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

The Yankees survived a three -run first inning outburst by the Twins and won 8-4 on the strength of three home runs and a stellar performance by their bullpen.

2016

November 2, 2016 at Progressive Field, Cleveland
Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians
World Series Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

For the fourth time in baseball history a World Series Game Seven went in to extra innings, and how it got there was very dramatic. The Cubs built a 6-3 lead through six innings on the strength of three solo homers, including a leadoff shot by Dexter Fowler to start the game. The Cubs still led by three in the eighth when starter Jon Lester got a quick out before allowing an infield single. For some reason manager Joe Maddon yanked Lester and summoned closer Aroldis Chapman, who had pitched the night before in a game where Chicago led by six runs. The tired Chapman allowed a double and a three-run homer and suddenly the game was tied. It stayed like that through nine, but Ben Zobrist and Miguel Montero delivered run-scoring hits in the top of the tenth to put the Cubs on top by a pair. The Indians fought back for a run and had the tying run on first in the bottom of the inning before mid-season acquisition Mike Montgomery came in to pitch and got a grounder to third to end the epic game. The win ended the Cubs 108-year championship drought and completed their comeback from being down three games to one.

October 13, 2016 at Nationals Park, Washington D.C.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
NLDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Nats had the bases loaded in the seventh trailing by a run but their closer, Kenley Jansen, who had been drafted as a catcher, got a strikeout to end the threat. Jansen got five outs before allowing a pair of walks in the bottom of the ninth and giving way to Clayton Kershaw, the Dodger ace. The lefty induced a harmless popup and ended the game with a strikeout as the Nats were eliminated in the first round for the third time in five seasons, this time after having blown a 2-1 lead in the series.

October 5, 2016 at Citi Field, New York
San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

Madison Bumgarner added to his postseason legend, spinning a four-hit shutout over the Mets. Noah Syndergaard was just about as effective for New York, going seven shutout innings, but in the top of the ninth Conor Gillaspie hit a three-run homer to break the scoreless tie and give Bum all he needed.

October 4, 2016 at Rogers Centre, Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

This game was notable because it went into extra innings and also because Baltimore manager Buck Showalter failed to use his best reliever. The O’s led 2-1 after four, but Toronto came back to tie it and it remained that way through nine innings, and then ten. Showalter trotted out seven pitchers to stem the Jays offense, but did not call on Zach Britton, who saved 47 games and had a 0.54 ERA in the regular season. Instead of using his Cy Young Award candidate, Showalter had Ubaldo Jimenez relieve in the 11th with two runners on and one out. Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer and the Orioles season was over. After the game Britton seemed as stunned as anyone else that he’d never been asked to pitch in a a tie game with the season on the line.

2015

October 15, 2015 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
NLDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Mets beat Dodger ace Zach Greinke behind their two young pitchers: Jacob deGrom (who started) and Noah Syndergaard (who pitched in relief). The final score was 3-2 and postseason hero Daniel Murphy hit a home run for the second straight game for the Mets.

October 14, 2015 at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros
ALDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

The Royals defeated the Astros 7-2, erasing a 2-0 deficit in this game to complete a comeback in a series it seemed they were going to lose. Johnny Cueto pitched well in this game for the victory as the Astros used five pitchers to try to stave off elimination. But the Astros had missed their best chance in Game Four when they led 6-2 in the 8th inning and were only six outs away from eliminating the Royals. But KC scored five times and twice more in the 9th to force this game.

October 14, 2015 at Rogers Centre, Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers
ALDS Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

In their first postseason appearance in 24 years the Blue Jays completed a comeback from an 0-2 deficit to win the series over the Rangers. Toronto scored four runs in the seventh inning in bizarre fashion as the Rangers made three errors. Finally, Jose Bautista belted a three-run homer to turn a 3-3 tie into a 6-3 Blue Jay lead.

October 7, 2015 at PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

The Pirates lost a wild card game at home for the second straight year, this time to a division rival 4-0. Chicago ace Jake Arrieta allowed just four hits as he went the distance to manhandle the Bucs.

October 6, 2015 at Yankee Stadium, New York
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

Solo homers by Carlos Gomez and Colby Rasmus staked the Astros to a lead and they won the game 3-0 over the Yankees, who were listless with the bats against young ace Dallas Keuchel of the Astros. The Yanks managed just three hits as they lost an ultimate game at home for the first time since Detroit beat them in the ALDS in 2011.

2014

October 29, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a battle of two wild card teams this game was a nail-biter. Both teams scored two runs in the second inning off starters Tim Hudson of the Giants and Jeremy Guthrie of the Royals. The Giants inched ahead on a single run in the fourth and then held on. Madison Bumgarner, who had won games one and five (the latter just three days earlier), came on in relief and tossed five innings of two-hit shutout ball to get the save and earn the Giants third world title in five seasons. The Royals got the tying run to third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but Bumgarner got Salvador Perez to pop out to end the season.

October 1, 2014 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

For the second straight year the Pirates hosted a wild card game but this time they were on the losing end. Madison Bumgarner, who would go on to the story of the postseason in 2014, spun a four-hitter as the Giants won 8-0 in a game that was blown open in the fourth when SF scored four times on a grand slam by Brandon Crawford.

September 30, 2014 at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland A’s
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

In a thrilling game the Royals made a dramatic return to the postseason after 29 years by coming from behind to defeat the A’s. Oakland built a 7-3 through seven innings but then KC pushed across three runs in the 8th to get close. In the bottom of the ninth Jarrod Dyson stole third base to set up a game-tying sacrifice fly off the bat of Nori Aoki. The teams remained scoreless in extra innings until the A’s scored in the top of the 12th to go ahead 8-7. But with one out in their half of the 12th the Royals for a triple from Eric Hosmer and tied the game on an infield hit. One out and a stolen base later, Salvador Perez lined a single to left field to win the game and complete the Royals improbable comeback. It marked the third straight year that the A’s were eliminated in an ultimate game.

2013

October 10, 2013 at The Coliseum, Oakland
Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland A’s
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

For the second straight postseason these two teams battled to a deciding game five and for the second straight October the difference was Justin Verlander. The right-hander kept the A’s off the board for eight innings before the bullpen finished a 3-0 win. Miguel Cabrera hit a home run for Detroit.

October 9, 2013 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Cardinals were in command the whole way behind ace Adam Wainwright who pitched a complete game in the 6-1 victory. Matt Adams and David Freese hit home runs for St. Louis.

October 2, 2013 at Progressive Field, Cleveland
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians
AL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

Tampa’s Alex Cobb was the star of the game shutting down the Indians in Cleveland for seven innings before turning it over to the bullpen which capped a 4-0 victory. Delmon Young continued his knack for getting big hits in big games, smacking a home run for the Rays.

October 1, 2013 at PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds
NL Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

These two longtime rivals squared off for the first time in the postseason in 23 seasons. Cincy’s Johnny Cueto gave up home runs to Marlon Byrd and Russell Martin in the second and the Pirates went from there to claim a 6-2 victory. Martin added a second homer later.

September 30, 2013, at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Game #163
At Stake: AL Wild Card Spot

Texas had to win seven straight games to force a playoff for a wild card spot. But they ran out of steam and were never really in this game. Tampa scored a run in the first and two in the third and coasted to a 5-2 victory. Lefty David Price was the difference: pitching a complete game to send the Rays to the postseason for the third time in franchise history.

2012

October 22, 2012 at AT&T Park, San Francisco
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: National League Pennant

This one was over almost before it started as the Giants plated seven runs in the first three innings. The bit hit was a bases-clearing double by Hunter Spence. Staked to a big lead, Matt Cain cruised to a victory as the Giants won 9-0.

October 12, 2012 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

After battling each other all season for the AL East title, the O’s and Yanks met in a decisive fifth game of their division series. C.C. Sabathia and Jason Hammel battled through a scoreless game until the 6th when the Yankees plated a run after Mark Teixeira singled, stole a base, and scored on a single by series hero Raul Ibanez. Sabathia was impressive, tossing a complete game win as the Yanks won 3-1. he wriggled out of a bases loaded, one out situation in the 8th inning.

October 11, 2012 at The Coliseum, Oakland
Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland A’s
Al Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in ALCS

After the A’s won two games to force a Game Five, Detroit ace Justin Verlander pitched a complete game 6-0 shutout to win the series for the Tigers. Verlander set a division series record with 22 K’s in his two starts.

October 11, 2012 at Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati
San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NLCS

The Giants scored six runs in the 5th inning, four on a grand slam by Buster Posey to break the game open. They hung on for a 6-4 victory and became the first NL team to recover from a 2-0 hole to win a division series. Matt Cain started and pitched well for the G-Men.

October 5, 2012 at Rangers Ballpark, Arlington
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves
Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in NLDS

The Braves were staked to a 2-0 lead but the pesky Cardinals scored six unanswered between the 4th and 7th and won the contest, 6-3. In their 8th, the Braves had runners at first and second when a flyball was hit to shallow left field which prompted shortstop Pete Kozma to drift back to make the play. As he was camped under the ball, the left field umpire called the infield fly rule, but the baseball dropped to the ground as Kozma and left fielder Matt Holliday mis-communicated. The Braves argues that the ball should have been a hit and that the infield fly should not have been called on a ball hit so far into the outfield. The umpires did not budge from their call, but Atlanta fans tossed so much garbage on the field that the players had to be removed while order was restored. League officials reviewed the play and a protest from the Braves and ruled immediately that the play would stand.

October 5, 2012 at Rangers Ballpark, Arlington
Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers
Wild Card Game
At Stake: Spot in ALDS

The teams traded runs in the first and it remained that way until the O’s pushed across a run in both the 6th and 7th innings. Joe Saunders went six solid innings and the Baltimore bullpen, their strength all season, shut the door to eliminate the defending league champions, who had blown a lead to lose the AL West on the final day of the regular season.

2011

October 28, 2011 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Texas Rangers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

After winning an incredible Game Six by rallying from two-run deficits in the bottom of the 9th and 10th innings, the Cardinals won a spirited game, 6-2. The Rangers pounced out to a 2-0 lead in the first on doubles by Josh Hamilton and Michael Young, but St. Louis tied it up in their half of the first inning. Ace Chris Carpenter settled down after his shaky first and the Cardinals pulled away to win the championship.

October 7, 2011 at Miller Park, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NL Championship Series

The home team won every game in this series, but not before some drama in Game Five by the underdog Diamondbacks. Trailing the Brewers 2-1 in the top of the ninth, Arizona got runners on first and third with no one out. Willie Bloomquist executed a perfect suicide squeeze to score the tying run and force extra innings. In the 10th, with their closer J.J. Putz on the mound, the D-Backs watched as Nyjer Morgan bounced a single up the middle to score the winning run. It was the first playoff series win for the Brewers since 1982.

October 7, 2011 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NL Championship Series

Aces Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay, former teammates on the Blue Jays, battled in an epic duel. Halladay was fantastic, but Carpenter was even better, pitching a complete game, three-hit shutout in the Cardinals 1-0 victory to knock off the favored Phillies.

October 6, 2011 at Yankee Stadium, New York
Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

Two unlikely batters hit back-to-back homers for Detroit in the first inning of Yankee starter Ivan Nova: Don Kelly and Delmon Young, who had been acquired at the trade deadline. Tigers starter Doug Fister, another mid-season acquisition, went five innings and allowed just one run and the bullpen did a stellar job as Detroit eliminated the Yankees for the second time in six seasons, 3-2.

2010

October 12, 2010 at Tropicana Field, Tampa
Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

Cliff Lee was too much for the Rays as the Rangers won their first playoff series in franchise history. The lefty held the Rays to one run in six innings for his second victory of the ALDS. After rallying from a 2-0 hole to force a Game Five, the Rays magic ran out.

2009

October 6, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis
Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers
Regular season
At Stake: AL Central Division title

The Tigers and Twins met in a one-game playoff to decide the AL Central crown after Detroit blew a three-game lead with four to play. 20-year old rookie Rick Porcello took the mound for the Tigers against Scott Baker. Porcello was staked to a 3-0 lead in the third after Miguel Cabrera belted a two-run homer, but the Twins chipped away, scoring single runs in the third and sixth. Zach Miner was hit hard, surrendering the lead for Detroit, but Magglio Ordonez hit a clutch homer in the eighth to tie the game. The game went to extra innings where the Tigers scored in the 10th on a double by Brandon Inge. But in the bottom of the inning Michael Cuddyer tripled to lead off and came around to score on a single to tie the game again. One batter later with the winning run on third, Nick Punto hit a line drive to Ryan Raburn in left field. Raburn fired a bullet to home plate to retire Alexi Casilla for an inning-ending double play. In the 12th, with Detroit’s Fernando Rodney pitching his third inning in relief, the Twins struck for a run when Casilla singled after the Tigers had intentionally walked Delmon Young with a runner at second. The Tigers became the first team in baseball history to fail to finish in first place after having a three-game lead with only four games left on the schedule.

2008

October 19, 2008 at Tropicana Field, Tampa
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
AL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: American League pennant

For the second straight year the Red Sox fell into a 3-1 hole in the ALCS, only to force a Game Seven. This time they fell short, losing to the Cinderella Rays, making their first trip to the post-season. Starter Matt Garza and the bullpen held the Sox to three hits in winning the contest, 3-1.

September 30, 2008 at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
Regular season
At Stake: AL Central Division title

These two division rivals were within three games of each other from June 20 to the end of the season. The ChiSox won a makeup game with Detroit the previous day to tie Minnesota and force a 163rd game for the division crown. 23-year old John Danks held the Twins to just two hits in eight innings and Jim Thome belted a solo homer to break a scoreless tie in the seventh. White Sox closer Bobby Jenks slammed the door in the ninth to give the Pale Hose a 1-0 victory.

2007

October 21, 2007 at Fenway Park, Boston
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
AL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: American League pennant

The Red Sox completed a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit by winning the final game in a laugher, 11-2. They broke it open with two runs in the seventh and sixth in the eighth off the Indians bullpen.

October 1, 20017 at Coors Field, Denver
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
Special Regular Season Playoff
At Stake: NL Wild Card spot

The Rockies won 13 of their final 14 to force a one-game playoff for the wild card. The Padres were tied atop the NL West when September began but limped through the month and finished deadlocked with the Padres after 162 games. Game 163 was a thriller in the thin air of Denver. The Rox built an early 3-0 lead, but the Padres stormed back five runs, four on a grand slam by Adrian Gonzalez. The game went into extra innings and a myriad of relief pitchers were trotted out by both managers. In the 13th, Scott Hairston hit a two-run homer that briefly silenced the Colorado crowd. One of baseball’s greatest relievers, Trevor Hoffman, came in to close it out in the bottom of the inning, but instead he got hammered. The Rockies got three straight extra-base hits to start their half of the inning, the last a triple by Matt Holliday. After an intentional walk to Todd Helton, Jamey Carroll lofted a sac fly to right to score the winning run (though it appeared Holliday never touched home) as the ballpark erupted. The Rockies wouldn’t lose a game until the World Series.

2006

October 19, 2006 at Shea Stadium, New York
St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: National League Pennant

Injuries to their pitching staff left the Mets scrambling for starters, and they turned to Oliver Perez, whose 6.55 regular season ERA was the highest ever for a Game Seven starter. Perez had won Game Four, just four days earlier, thanks to the 12 runs his teammates put on the scoreboard. But in this game, Perez didn’t receive that kind of support. Nevertheless, the right-hander battled St. Louis starter Jeff Suppan to a 1-1 tie through six innings. In the top of the sixth, left fielder Endy Chavez soared well above the wall to snare a would-be homer off the bat of Scott Rolen. The amazing grab resulted in an inning-ending double play. In the top of the ninth, Yadier Molina belted a two-run homer to give the Cards a 3-1 lead, and rookie closer Adam Wainwright survived a rocky bottom of the ninth (the Mets loaded the bases) to preserve the win and send St. Louis to the World Series for the second time in three years.

2005

October 10, 2005 at Angel Stadium, Anaheim
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

Disastrous starting pitching put the Yankees into the position of playing the Angels in their park in Game Five. Nothing changed in Game Five, as Mike Mussina was knocked out in the third inning. A Garret Anderson home run and a two-run triple by Adam Kennedy fueled a three-run second, and the Angels added two more in the third. When their starter, Bartolo Colon, left the game in the second inning with a sore arm, 22-year old rookie Ervin Santana hurried into the game. The hard-throwing righty pitched 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball, holding off the Yankees. When Frankie Rodriguez nailed down the 5-3 win in the ninth, the Halos had eliminated the Yankees in the first round for the second time in four years.

2004

October 21, 2004 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: National League Pennant

For the second straight year, Roger Clemens started a Game Seven in the LCS, but this time it was in the red uniform of the Houston Astros. Clemens pitched a strong game, holding a 2-1 lead through five innings. But in the sixth, Albert Pujols drove in the tying run, and Scott Rolen belted a two-run homer to give the Cards a lead they never surrendered. The final score was 5-2, Pujols was named Series MVP, and the Cardinals improved their UG mark to 9-5.

October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium, New York
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
AL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: American League Pennant

The Red Sox became the first team in MLB history to force a seventh game after trailing three games to none. Boston jumped out in front with two runs in the first, and put the game away in the second on a grand slam by Johnny Damon, who hit two homers in the contest. Derek Lowe earned the victory, as Yankee fans were forced to watch their rivals celebrate a blowout-win in the second Game Seven in two years between these two teams, 10-3.

October 11, 2004 at Turner Field, Atlanta
Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NL Championship Series

For the third straight year, Atlanta lost an ultimate game in Game Five of the Divisional Series at home. The Astros won 12-3, scoring in five different innings. Carlos Beltran hit a pair of homers and had five RBI, and Jeff Bagwell added a two-run shot. Phil Garner used five pitchers in relief of starter Roy Oswalt, while Atlanta’s Jaret Wright (making the third Ultimate Game start of his career) was tagged with the loss.

2003

October 16, 2003 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
AL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: American League Pennant

In one baseball’s greatest games, the Yankees defeated the Red Sox, 6-5, in 11 innings. Trailing 5-2 in the 8th inning, the Yankees rallied on hits by Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui, and Jorge Posada, tying the game. Mariano Rivera threw three shutout innings and won on Aaron Boone’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the 11th. For the Red Sox, it was one more disappointing loss in a string of post-season failures.

October 15, 2003 at Wrigley Field, Chicago
Florida Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: National League Pennant

The Cubs squandered a 5-3 lead, bowing to the young Marlins, 9-6. After losing a heartbreaking sixth game when they allowed eight runs in the 8th inning, the Cubs missed a chance to go to their first World Series since 1945. Kerry Wood left in the sixth inning after allowing seven runs, while Florida starting pitchers Brad Penny and Josh Beckett came out of the bullpen and preserved the Marlin victory. Rookie Miguel Cabrera homered for the winning team.

October 6, 2003 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland A’s
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

The A’s dropped games three and four in Boston to set up their fourth ALDS Ultimate Game in as many years. Pedro Martinez and Barry Zito met in a macthup of Cy Young Award winners. The Sox won a great game, 4-3, helped by a three-run homer off the bat of Manny Ramirez. The A’s extended their record of losing four Ultimate Games in four straight seasons.

October 5, 2003 at Turner Field, Atlanta
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NL Championship Series

The Cubs won a post-season series for the first time since 1908. The Braves lost in the post-season for the 8th consecutive season, and for the second straight year, they lost a Game Five at home. Kerry Wood pitched eight innings of five-hit ball, and was helped by homers from Aramis Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez, as the Cubs won, 5-1.

2002

October 7, 2002 at Edison Field, Anaheim
Anaheim Angels vs. San Francisco Giants
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Angels capped their Cinderella post-season run with a 4-1 defeat of the Giants. Garrett Anderson delivered a the game-winning hit and rookie John Lackey gained the win as the Giants lost both games six and seven.

October 7, 2002 at Turner Field, Atlanta
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NL Championship Series

The Braves fell short once again in the post-season. After 11 straight division titles, all Atlanta had to show for their amazing success was one World Series title. The Giants won their first post-season series under Dusty Baker, and it was the first time Barry Bonds won in October, as well. Bonds blasted a solo-homer in this game, which the Giants won by the score of 3-1 behind the solid pitching of Russ Ortiz, Felix Rodriguez, and closer Rob Nen. Atlanta threatened in the ninth but Chipper Jones bounced into a double play to end the game.

October 6, 2002 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland A’s
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

The A’s and their fans were sure that this was their year to get past the Yankees, but they never thought to worry about the Twins, who made the playoffs against all odds. The A’s led the series two games to one but were beaten in Game Four in the Metrodome to set up their third ALDS Game Five in as many years. Mark Mulder pitched well enough to win, but Minnesota’s Brad Radke pitched even better, staking his team to a 2-1 lead after seven innings. The Twins exploded for three runs in the top of the ninth to send many A’s fans heading down the aisles, but Oakland, who had won 20 straight games in the regular season, had some magic left. The A’s scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth on a homer and put the tying run on base, but fell short, 5-4. The A’s became the first team to lose an Ultimate Game in three consecutive seasons.

2001

November 4, 2001 at Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Yankee string of success came to a stop. After winning two dramatic games in New York, the Yankees were beaten badly in Game Six to set up this showdown. D-Back ace Curt Schilling battled Roger Clemens in a tight duel, but a home run by Alfonso Soriano gave New York a 2-1 lead entering the last of the ninth. Facing infallible relief ace Mariano Rivera, Arizona rallied and won on Luis Gonzalez’ looping single over a drawn-in infield. Tony Womack once again played a role in a dramatic Diamondback rally.

October 15, 2001 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Oakland A’s
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

New York came back from a 2-0 deficit in this game and a 2-0 hole in the series, winning 5-3. The bullpen proved vital in this game as Mike Stanton got the win and Mariano Rivera kept the A’s in their place. It was the tenth straight playoff series win for the Yankees.

October 15, 2001 at Safeco Field, Seattle
Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

Seattle came back from a two games to one deficit to eliminate the Indians, 3-1. Cleveland was held to just four hits in this game by Jamie Moyer, Jeff Nelson, and Kazahiro Sasaki.

October 14, 2001 at Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in NL Championship Series

Curt Schilling shut down the Cardinals, and Tony Womack smacked the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. The D-Backs won by the score of 2-1.

2000

October 8, 2000 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
New York Yankees vs. Oakland A’s
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

The Yankees scored six runs in the first inning and held on for a 7-5 win. Orlando Hernandez was clutch in relief as the Yankees won their seventh straight playoff series.

1999

October 11, 1999, at Jacobs Field, Cleveland
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

The Indians chose to avoid Nomar Garciappara in this game and that decision cost them. Twice the Tribe intentionally walked Nomar and twice Troy O’Leary went deep, the second time in the seventh inning with two men aboard. The latter blast gave Boston the lead and the win, 12-8. The Sox had won the final three games by a combined score of 44-18. Pedro Martinez pitched six innings of no-hit relief in this game to shut down the vaunted Cleveland offense.

October 4, 1999, at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati
New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds
Special Playoff
At Stake: NL Wild Card

For the second straight season a playoff was required to determine the NL wild card team. The Mets, who had allowed Cincinnati in the race for the playoff spot by losing seven straight near the end of the regular season, were on the road for this one. Rickey Henderson proved vital in this game, hitting a leadoff single, scoring the game’s first run, and later blasting a homer. The Mets won 5-0 behind Al Leiter.

1998

September 29, 1998, at Wrigley Field, Chicago
Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants
Special Playoff
At Stake: NL Wild Card

The Cubs won the first playoff for a wild card spot in baseball history. Chicago built a 4-0 lead and kept the Giants down the rest of the way behind Terry Mulholland and Kevin Tapani in relief. Closer Rod Beck squashed a Giant rally in the ninth (three runs were plated), getting Joe Carter to end the game. The final score was 5-3.

1997

October 26, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium, Miami
Florida Marlins vs. Cleveland Indians
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The four-year old Marlins won an unlikely title when Edgar Renteria singled up the middle in the 11th inning. Tony Fernandez’ error helped open the door for the victory. The Marlins won 3-2 in a game that saw both managers pull out the stops: 12 pitchers were used. Bobby Bonilla hit the game’s only home run.

October 6, 1997 at Jacobs Field, Cleveland
Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

Cleveland eliminated the defending world champions after trailing two games to one. The Indians won a one-run affair in Game Four and nipped the Yankees by one run again in this contest. Reliever Jose Mesa held the Yankees at bay after Cleveland built a 4-0 lead.

1996

October 17, 1996 at Turner Field, Atlanta
Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: NL Pennant

After losing two one-run games and falling behind in the series three games to one, the Braves rallied to earn their second straight NL pennant. The finale was the biggest blowout in ultimate game history, a 15-0 laugher. Javy Lopez, Andruw Jones, and Fred McGriff hit home runs to support Tom Glavine’s pitching.

1995

October 8, 1995 at the Kingdome, Seattle
Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: Spot in AL Championship Series

In an amazing series, the Mariners rallied several times to eliminate the favored Yankees. In Game Five the M’s tied the game in the eighth and went into extra-innings, where they found themselves trailing in the bottom of the 11th, 5-4. But Edgar Martinez drove in two runs (including Ken Griffey Jr. with the series-winning run) to win the game for Seattle.

October 2, 1995 at the Kingdome, Seattle
Seattle Mariners vs. California Angels
Special Playoff
At Stake: AL West Title

The game was close until the bottom of the eighth when the Mariners pushed across four runs, all on a strange double-turned-two-base-error off the bat of Luis Sojo. After blowing it open in the next frame, the M’s won 9-1 behind Randy Johnson, beating their former ace, Mark Langston. Seattle had their first playoff berth.

1992

October 14, 1992 at Fulton-County Stadium, Atlanta
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: NL Pennant

For the second straight year the Braves and Pirates squared off in an ultimate game to decide the NL pennant. This time Pittsburgh was the team with momentum, winning twice after falling behind three games to one. Pittsburgh held a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the ninth. The Braves loaded the bases and won the game 3-2 on little-used pinch-hitter Francisco Cabrera’s RBI-single.

1991

October 27, 1991 at the Metrodome, St. Paul
Minnesota Twins vs. Atlanta Braves
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In the most masterful ultimate game pitching performance ever, Jack Morris went 10 shutout innings to win the Twins second title in five years, 1-0. Morris traded goose eggs with John Smoltz for eight innings before Minnesota tallied on Gene Larkin’s pinch-hit single in the bottom of the 10th.

October 17, 1991 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: NL Pennant

After more than three years, the ultimate game returned to baseball. The Braves won Game Six to force the showdown. In Pittsburgh, the Bucs failed to score for the second straight evening, losing to John Smoltz, 4-0. Brian Hunter homered and drove in three of the Atlanta runs.

1988

October 12, 1988 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: NL Pennant

The Dodgers battered Ron Darling for six runs in the first two innings to build a comfortable lead. They won the contest 6-0 behind the pitching of Orel Hershiser.

1987

October 25, 1987 at the Metrodome, St. Paul
Minnesota Twins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Twins won every game at home, taking the finale 4-2 behind Frank Viola. Huge underdogs to the Cards, the Twins used timely hitting and the home-field advantage to win their first World Championship. Jeff Reardon came on to nail down the win in the ninth inning.

October 14, 1987 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Francisco Giants
NL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: NL Pennant

Seven San Francisco hurlers tried to halt the Cardinals in this game, to no avail. The Cards won 6-0 as Danny Cox held the G-Men at bay. Light-hitting infielder Jose Oquendo hit an unlikely homer in the victory.

1986

October 27, 1986 at Shea Stadium, New York
New York Mets vs. Boston Red Sox
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In typical fashion, the Red Sox gained an early lead, only to lose the game and series, 8-5. In a history filled with collapses, this was the Red Sox worst. The game was set up by Bill Buckner’s infamous error in Game Six that helped the Mets to rally for an unlikely win.

October 15, 1986 at Fenway Park, Boston
Boston Red Sox vs. California Angels
AL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: AL Pennant

Roger Clemens delivered a commanding 8-1 win, pitching into the eighth inning. Jim Rice and Dwight Evans each homered as the Angels lost their third straight game.

1985

October 27, 1985 at Royals Stadium, Kansas City
Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Royals handed the Cards an embarrassing 11-0 defeat a night after rallying in the ninth inning to force the deciding game. Bret Saberhagen blanked St. Louis, and Daryl Motley homered for KC.

October 16, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium, Toronto
Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays
AL Championship Series, Game Seven
At Stake: AL Pennant

Kansas City capped their comeback, winning this game 6-2 behind Bret Saberhagen, Charlie Leibrandt, and Dan Quisenberry. A wind-blown triple by Jim Sundberg was the big hit, driving in three runs in the Royals four-run sixth.

1984

October 7, 1984 at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
NL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL Pennant

Steve Garvey’s Game Four home run set up this ultimate game. The Cubs struck early, building a 3-0 lead after two innings. But the Padres scored two in the sixth and four runs in the seventh (a pair thanks to Leon Durham’s error) to garner their first pennant and seal the Cubs’ collapse from a 2-0 games lead.

1982

October 20, 1982 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Cardinals dispatched the Brewers in a 6-3 win behind Joaquin Andujar. St. Louis rallied from a 3-1 deficit in this game, scoring three times in the sixth and twice more in the eighth. The Brewers became the first team to play three ultimate games in a single season, and their fourth in two years.

October 10, 1982 at County Stadium, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers vs. California Angels
AL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: AL Pennant

Milwaukee came back home needing a sweep of the final three games and they got it. The Brewers won Game Five 4-3 as Pete Vuckovich, Pete Ladd, and Bob McClure scattered 11 Angels hits. Cecil Cooper delivered the winning hit for Milwaukee.

October 3, 1982 at County Stadium, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Baltimore Orioles
Regular Season, Final Game
At Stake: AL East Title

Robin Yount blasted a pair of home runs to support Don Sutton as the Brewers defeated Jim Palmer and the Orioles to win the AL East title.

1981

October 19, 1981 at Olympic Stadium, Montreal
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Montreal Expos
NL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL Pennant

The Dodgers continued their success in elimination games, beating the Expos in Montreal in games four and five. Rick Monday hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth in the finale to give rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela the win, 2-1.

October 11, 1981, at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia
Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL East Title

Montreal held serve at home to take a two games to none lead, but Philly came back and won the next two at home, including Game Four in extra-innings to force a finale. The Expos got great pitching from Steve Rogers (complete game, six-hit shutout), who also drove in the first two runs of a 3-0 win that eliminated the defending world champions.

October 11, 1981 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers
AL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: AL East Title

Milwaukee lost the first two games at home and then rebounded to topple the Yankees in the Bronx and force a Game Five. New York bats erupted however, as Reggie Jackson, Oscar Gamble and Rick Cerone went deep in a 7-3 Yank victory.

October 11, 1981 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros
NL Division Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL West Title

After Houston took a two games to none lead in the series, the Dodgers won the final three games in Los Angeles, allowing just two runs. In the climactic game, Jerry Reuss went the distance, allowing just five hits and shutting out the frustrated Astros.

1980

October 12, 1980 at the Astrodome, Houston
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros
NL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL Pennant

The Astros continued their season of tight games and near misses, playing four extra-inning games in a classic playoff series against the favored Phillies. The Astros scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to knot Game Five 7-7. In the tenth inning Garry Maddox doubled in the go-ahead run and the Phillies held of Houston in the bottom of the frame to win their first pennant in 30 seasons.

October 6, 1980 at the Astrodome, Houston
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Special Playoff
At Stake: NL West Title

Having swept the Astros at the end of the regular season to force this one-game playoff, the Dodgers seemed out of gas. Houston scored two in the first, two in the third, and three in the fourth to bury Los Angeles, 7-1. It gave the Astros their first post-season birth.

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1979

October 17, 1979 at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Baltimore Orioles
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Willie Stargell capped his phenomenal season with a two-run homer that sparked the 4-1 Pirate win. The Bucs had trailed three games to one before upsetting the favored O’s.

1978

October 2, 1978 at Fenway Park, Boston
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
Special Playoff
At Stake: AL East Title

After blowing a huge lead in the division race, the Red Sox rallied at season’s end to force this classic playoff contest against the hated Yankees. Cruising along with a lead behind starter Mike Torrez, light-hitting Yankee shortstop Bucky Dent spoiled their plans when he hit a three-run homer into the left field Green Monster screen. The Yankees won the game 5-4, as Carl Yastrzemski made the final out (as he had in the 1967 World Series).

1977

October 9, 1977 at Royals Stadium, Kansas City
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals
AL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: AL Pennant

Down 3-2 in the top of the ninth, the Yankees pushed across three runs and spoiled the Royals pennant-hopes, 5-3. For the second straight year Kansas City lost the pennant in their final game.

1976

October 14, 1976 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals
AL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: AL Pennant

In a tie game, Chris Chambliss delivered a home run in the bottom of the ninth to give New York their first pennant in 12 years. The Royals first taste of the post-season fell one game short of the World Series.

1975

October 22, 1975 at Fenway Park, Boston
Cincinnati Reds vs. Boston Red Sox
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a thrilling game, the Reds came from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3, thanks in large part to Tony Perez’s two-run homer. Joe Morgan’s RBI-single plated the tie-breaking run in the top of the ninth. Though Boston had won a thrilling extra-inning affair in Game Six to set up this match, they lost their fifth straight ultimate game.

1973

October 21, 1973 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
Oakland A’s vs. New York Mets
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The A’s took care of the Mets, who had gamely fought their way to Game Seven. Reggie Jackson and Bert Campaneris belted homers as the A’s won their second straight title, 5-2.

October 10, 1973 at Shea Stadium, New York
New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds
NL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL Pennant

Tom Seaver was the benefactor of a four-run Met fifth inning that broke open a close game. The New Yorkers won their second pennant, 7-2.

October 11, 1973 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
Oakland A’s vs. Baltimore Orioles
AL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: AL Pennant

Catfish Hunter twirled a five-hit shutout gem and the A’s won 3-0 and advanced to their second straight World Series.

1972

October 22, 1972 at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati
Oakland A’s vs. Cincinnati Reds
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

As was their custom, the A’s won a close contest 3-2. Rollie Fingers relief work was key and Gene Tenace delivered the Series-winning hit.

October 11, 1972 at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: NL Pennant

Johnny Bench led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run to tie the score and Tony Perez and Denis Menke followed with singles. Pirate hurler Bob Moose later threw a wild pitch, allowing pinch-runner George Foster to score the pennant-winning run.

October 12, 1972 at Tiger Stadium, Detroit
Oakland A’s vs. Detroit Tigers
AL Championship Series, Game Five
At Stake: AL Pennant

Detroit nearly stormed back from an 0-2 deficit to win the final three games, but Oakland won a one-run affair to earn their first trip to the World Series. Vida Blue relieved Blue Moon Odom in this game to lead the A’s to victory.

1971

October 17, 1971 at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Baltimore Orioles
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a 2-1 squeeker, Roberto Clemente homered and Steve Blass earned the win over the favored Orioles.

1968

October 10, 1968 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Detroit Tigers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Tigers completed their improbable comeback by defeating Bob Gibson 4-1 in St. Louis as Mickey Lolich pitched his third complete game. Al Kaline and Jim Northrup delivered key hits as Detroit won their first title in 23 seasons.

1967

October 12, 1967 at Fenway Park, Boston
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Not only did Bob Gibson win another Game Seven, he also hit a home run in his 7-2 victory. The Red Sox lost their fourth straight ultimate game, dating back to 1946.

1965

October 14, 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Minnesota Twins
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a 2-0 game, Sandy Koufax man-handled the Twins, allowing just three hits. Lou Johnson’s home run was the difference.

1964

October 15, 1964 at Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Yankees
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Cardinal righty Bob Gibson established himself as a big-game pitcher with a 7-5 win over the Yankees. The loss ended the New York dynasty, with the Bombers going 12 seasons before tasting post-season again.

1962

October 16, 1962 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco
New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Giants had their opportunities but failed to cash in. Willie McCovey’s line drive with a runner at second ended the game and the series. The Yanks won 1-0, with Roger Maris’s defensive play saving a couple runs.

October 3, 1962 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Special Playoff, Game Three
At Stake: NL Pennant

After the Giants won the first game of this three-game playoff 8-0, the Dodgers slipped by in the second contest 8-7 when Maury Wills scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth. In the finale, San Francisco earned a trip to it’s first World Series by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to win, 6-4.

1960

October 13, 1960 at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Yankees
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Despite being outscored by a wide margin in the Series, the Pirates forced a Game Seven. In a seesaw game, Bill Mazeroski led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run, winning the title. It was the first “walk-off” Series-ending home run.

1958

October 9, 1958 at County Stadium, Milwaukee
New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Braves
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a 6-2 win, Moose Skowron hit a three-run homer as the Yankees turned the tables on the Braves, sweeping the last three games of the Series.

1957

October 10, 1957 at Yankee Stadium, New York
Milwaukee Braves vs. New York Yankees
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Pitching star Lew Burdette shut down the Yankees, 5-0, as the Braves won their first title in Milwaukee.

1956

October 10, 1956 at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Yankees got back at Brooklyn, whipping the Dodgers on their home field and wrestling away the World Title, 9-0. Yogi Berra belted two homers and Johnny Kucks allowed just three hits.

1955

October 4, 1955 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Dodgers won their first Series, beating the Yanks in Yankee Stadium behind the the tremendous pitching of Johnny Podres, 2-0. Gil Hodges drove in both of the game’s runs.

1952

October 7, 1952 at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Yankees again defeated the Dodgers in the 7th game, 4-2, as Mickey Mantle went deep.

1951

October 3, 1951 at The Polo Grounds, New York
New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
Special Playoff, Game Three
At Stake: NL Pennant

After splitting the first two games, the Dodgers seemed to have the pennant sewn up, but Ralph Branca gave up a bottom of the ninth, three-run homer to Bobby Thomson, sealing their fate. The Dodgers had blown a large lead in the pennant race, forcing the special three-game tilt.

1949

October 3, 1949 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
Regular Season, Final Game
At Stake: AL Pennant

The Yankees rallied from a 4-0 deficit on Saturday to force this regular season finale, winner-take-all game against the Red Sox. With almost 70,000 fans packed into Yankee Stadium, the Yankees held a slim 1-0 lead into the 8th inning before erupting for four runs off relievers Mel Parnell and Tex Hughson. The Bosox responded with three runs in the top of the ninth, but fell short, losing the pennant, 5-3.

1948

October 4, 1948 at Fenway Park, Boston
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox
Special Playoff
At Stake: AL Pennant

Indians shortstop and boy manager Lou Boudreau blasted two homers and two singles, leading the Tribe to an easy win in the first playoff for the AL pennant.

1947

October 6, 1947 at Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Yankees won their first ultimate game, defeating the Dodgers behind Floyd Bevens and reliever Joe Page, 5-2.

1946

October 15, 1946 at Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Late in the game Harry Walker drove a double (not a single as is often misreported) into the gap that scored hustling Enos Slaughter from first with the winning run. Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky is fitted for goats horns when he holds the ball a little too long on the relay. Final score: 4-3.

1945

October 10, 1945 at Wrigley Field, Chicago
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Tigers battered the upstart Cubs, winning 9-3 behind ace lefty Hal Newhouser.

1940

October 8, 1940 at Crosley Field, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds vs. Detroit Tigers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

Behind the hitting of Frank McCormick and the pitching of Paul Derringer, the Reds nipped Detroit 2-1 and won their second World Title.

1934

October 9, 1934 at Navin Field, Detroit
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a laugher, the Cardinals throttled Detroit 11-0 as Dizzy Dean handcuffed the Tigers. Midway through the contest, commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis removed Cardinals’ left fielder Joe Medwick from the game after irate Detroit fans pelted him with fruit and garbage in response to a hard slide the previous frame.

1931

October 10, 1931 at Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Athletics
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In a pitching matchup pitting the A’s George Earnshaw against the Cards’ Burleigh Grimes, St. Louis won a tight 4-2 contest, thus denying Philadelphia their third straight World Championship.

1926

October 10, 1926 at Yankee Stadium, New York
St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Yankees
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Cards eked out the win when Pete Alexander entered the game and struck out Tony Lazzeri with the bases full. Ahead 3-2 in the ninth, the Cards threw out Babe Ruth trying to steal, ending the series.

1925

October 15, 1925 at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Senators
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Pirates benefited from two costly errors by Senators’ shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, winning 9-7, and denying Washington a second straight title.

1924

October 10, 1924 at Griffith’s Stadium, Washington D.C.
Washington Senators vs. New York Giants
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

In an epic game, Walter Johnson relieved for the Senators and shut down the Giants, allowing Washington to win in the 12th inning. Muddy Ruel delivered the key hit and scored the Series-winning run.

1912

October 16, 1912 at Fenway Park, Boston
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Giants
World Series, Game Eight
At Stake: World Championship

In one of the most exciting ultimate games ever, the Sox won in the bottom of the 10th when Giants outfielder Fred Snodgrass muffed a fly ball, allowing the winning run to score. The final score was 3-2, with the exciting game played in new Fenway Park (opened earlier that season).

1909

October 16, 1909 at Bennett Park, Detroit
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers
World Series, Game Seven
At Stake: World Championship

The Bucs’ Babe Adams shut down the Tigers and the Pirates battered Detroit pitching for an easy 8-0 win. The Tigers lost their third straight Fall Classic.

1908

October 8, 1908 at West Side Grounds, Chicago
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Giants
Regular Season, Final Game
At Stake: NL Pennant

According to published reports, nearly 250,000 fans showed up at the Polo Grounds to watch the disputed replay of the September 23 game between the Cubs and Giants that would decide the NL pennant race. Nearly 40,000 fans watched from Coogan’s Bluff, telephone poles, and other vantage points. Two fans were killed when they fell from a pillar on the elevated subway platform. Later admitting he had nothing on the ball, Christy Mathewson lost 4-2, to the Cubs, giving way to Hooks Wiltse in the eighth. Three-Finger Brown relieved Jack Pfiester in the first inning and got the win.

October 6, 1908 at South Side Park, Chicago
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox
Regular Season, Final Game
At Stake: AL Pennant

Doc White was hit hard in a 7-0 loss that gave the pennant to the Tigers. Wild Bill Donovan pitched a two-hitter for the victors, who won their second straight AL flag. Having pitched in 13 of the last 16 games to keep his team in the pennant race, Hall of Famer Ed Walsh did not take the mound for the White Sox.