Welcome to the postseason everyone. For historical purposes, this is the first season baseball has been played with a ten-team playoff format. Most recently, an eight-team system was used, but in the offseason it was expanded to what is before us today. Without further delay, I present you the wild card play-in games.
First up, the National League Wild Card Game in Atlanta, Georgia at Turner Field. Kyle Lohse and Kris Medlen pace the game. Atlanta got going in the second inning on a two-run home run by David Ross, also scoring Dan Uggla. St. Louis replied in the fourth inning as Allen Craig doubled in Carlos Beltran, followed by Yadier Molina grounding out to bring in Matt Holliday, before gaining the lead as David Freese hit a sacrifice fly to score Craig. The Cardinals padded the lead in the sixth inning as Holliday hit a solo home run. St. Louis struck again in the seventh inning as Pete Kozma reached on an error to allow Adron Chambers to dart home, before scoring on a Matt Carpenter single. The Braves took one back in their half of the inning as Michael Bourn grounded out to provide time for Jose Constanza to safely come home. They got no closer, losing 6-3, with the win going to Lohse, the save tossed by Jason Motte, and the loss pinned on Medlen. The Braves head home empty-handed while the Cardinals prepare to face the Washington Nationals in the NLDS.
In the American League, the Wild Card Game comes from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, with the Rangers hosting the Baltimore Orioles. Joe Saunders is mismatched with Yu Darvish pitching. Baltimore began in the first inning as J.J. Hardy singled Nate McLouth home. Texas tied the game in the bottom of the first as Josh Hamilton grounded into a double play that allowed Ian Kinsler to dash home. The Orioles took the lead in the sixth inning on an Adam Jones sacrifice fly to bring in Hardy. Baltimore padded the lead in the seventh inning with McLouth singling Robert Andino across the dish. The Orioles extended the lead in the ninth inning as Manny Machado singled to drive in Lew Ford, followed by a McLouth sacrifice fly to give Andino time to score again. This made it 5-1, a final, with Saunders picking up the win and Darvish taking an unlucky loss. The Rangers are eliminated from postseason play, while the Orioles get to play their division rivals, the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
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