St. Louis and Baltimore advance in winner-take-all wild-card games
If Major League Baseball wanted excitment in the inagural wild-card playoff, they got their wish.
Atlanta Braves Chris Medlen pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of their National League Wild Card playoff game in Atlanta, Georgia October 5, 2012.TAMI CHAPPELL/Reuters
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese (23) hits a sacrifice fly, bringing in teammate Allen Craig, during the fourth inning of the National League wild card playoff game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta.Todd Kirkland/The Associated Press
Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward makes a catch on a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina during the second inning of the National League wild card playoff game on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Adron Chambers, left, crosses home plate after a bad throw from Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (not shown) as Braves catcher David Ross, right, tries to make the catch during the seventh inning of the National League wild card playoff game on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
From L - R: St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday hits a home run in the sixth inning as Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann and home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg look on at their National League Wild Card playoff game in Atlanta, Georgia October 5, 2012.TAMI CHAPPELL/Reuters
St. Louis Cardinals' Allen Craig (R) is congratulated by teammate Daniel Descalso after scoring against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning of their National League Wild Card playoff game in Atlanta, Georgia October 5, 2012.TAMI CHAPPELL/Reuters
Atlanta Braves' David Ross (8) watches his two-run home run during the second inning of the National League wild card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
Atlanta Braves' David Ross reacts with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of the National League wild card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
Atlanta Braves officials pick up trash on the field as security stand by during the eighth inning of the National League wild card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta. The Cardinals won baseball's first wild-card playoff, taking advantage of a disputed infield fly call that led to a protest and fans littering the field with debris to defeat the Braves 6-3.Todd Kirkland/The Associated Press
Umpire Sam Holbrook, right, listens to Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, left, after a call during the eighth inning of the National League wild card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta. The game was stopped after officials decided Braves' Andrelton Simmons was out on the infield fly rule.Todd Kirkland/The Associated Press
Atlanta Braves' Chipper Jones (10) tips his helmet to the crowd at his last at-bat during the ninth inning of the National League wild card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta. The Cardinals won baseball's first wild-card playoff, taking advantage of a disputed infield fly call that led to a protest and fans littering the field with debris to defeat the Braves 6-3.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Motte (R) and his teammate Allen Craig run off the field as they celebrate their win over the Atlanta Braves for the wild card at their National League Wild Card playoff game in Atlanta, Georgia October 5, 2012.TAMI CHAPPELL/Reuters
From left to right, St. Louis Cardinals' Victor Marte, Jon Jay, Chris Carpenter and Carlos Beltran celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Atlanta Braves 6-3 in the National League wild card playoff game on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Atlanta.John Bazemore/The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Motte celebrates their win over the Atlanta Braves for the wild card at their National League Wild Card playoff game in Atlanta, Georgia October 5, 2012.TAMI CHAPPELL/Reuters
Baltimore Orioles' Nate McLouth (L) steals second base as Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (R) bobbles the ball during the first inning of their American League Wild Card playoff game in Arlington, Texas October 5, 2012.TIM SHARP/Reuters
Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre throws out Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado during the seventh inning of an American League wild-card playoff game Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Arlington, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/The Associated Press
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Ryan Flaherty can't stop a single by Texas Rangers' Michael Young during the fourth inning of an American League wild-card playoff game Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 in Arlington, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/The Associated Press
Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (L) walks out to relieve pitcher Joe Saunders in the sixth inning of their American League Wild Card playoff game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas October 5, 2012.TIM SHARP/Reuters
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Johnson reacts as the last out is made against the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning of their American League Wild Card playoff game in Arlington, Texas October 5, 2012.TIM SHARP/Reuters
The Baltimore Orioles celebrate winning the American League wild-card playoff game against the Texas Rangers, 5-1, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 in Arlington, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/The Associated Press
Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (L) and Jim Thome (R) celebrate their win against the Texas Rangers following an American League Wild Card playoff game in Arlington, Texas October 5, 2012.TIM SHARP/Reuters
Baltimore Orioles Jim Thome celebrates in the clubhouse with teammates following their win against the Texas Rangers during an American League Wild Card playoff game in Arlington, Texas October 5, 2012.TIM SHARP/Reuters