Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in 1951 ended the most storied play-in game in baseball history, but it culminated a three-game tiebreaker series. What are the most memorable single play-in games? 5. White Sox 1, Twins 0 (2008)?»
Despite winning the season series, Minnesota had to travel to Chicago and was dusted by Jim Thome, who hit a seventh-inning home run, and lefty John Danks.
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4. Astros 7, Dodgers 1 (1980) »
The game was a snoozer as Joe Niekro tossed a six-hitter, but it was memorable because it came after Los Angeles swept Houston in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium to force the playoff.
3. Twins 6, Tigers 5 (2009) » Alexi Cassila was an unlikely hero. His single in the bottom of the 12th inning scored Carlos Gomez with the winning run, completing a colossal collapse for the Tigers, who led by seven games in September.
2. Rockies 9, Padres 8 (2007) » After the Padres’ Scott Hairston hit a two-run home run in the top of the 13th, the Rockies retaliated with three in the bottom of the inning off Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman. Matt Holliday scored the game winner with a controversial slide on which it was unclear whether he touched the plate.
1. Yankees 5, Red Sox 4 (1978)?» New York shortstop Bucky Dent hit a three-run home run over the Green Monster in the seventh inning to help finish Boston’s collapse. The Red Sox led the division by nine games in mid-August.
– Kevin Dunleavy
