The All-Star break meant a relatively slow week in the world of sports, due mainly to a lack of sporting events—Wednesday being the only day all year in which none of the four major sports featured a single event.
But on the bright side, the All-Star Game provided fans with one of the best games of the year. Throw in an Open Championship filled with storylines, and suddenly it’s not such a bad week after all.
5. MLB: Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 7 (July 18)
The Dodgers returned from the All-Star break in style, overcoming an early 6-3 deficit to defeat Arizona in 11 innings and tie the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead. The two teams are still tied for the lead now.
The Dodgers relied on the long ball, getting two home runs from Nomar Garciaparra and four overall. James Loney’s solo shot in the top of the 11th provided the one-run margin of victory.
The game was also important for the Dodgers because it was new closer Jonathan Broxton’s first save chance. He was well up to the task, striking out two D-Backs while pitching a perfect bottom of the 11th. His performance will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the NL West race.
4. MLB: Cardinals 9, Padres 5 (July 20)
While this game did not have quite as much significance as the other baseball games on the list, it certainly was not lacking in drama. The Cardinals scored eight runs in the game’s final three innings to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 9-5 victory.
The Padres did not go down without a fight, either—after Troy Glaus’ home run completed the initial St. Louis comeback and put the Redbirds ahead, 5-3, it might have appeared as if the game were over. But former Cardinal closer Jason Isringhausen, filling in for the tired Ryan Franklin, once again could not seal the game, giving up two runs on three hits while recording only one out.
After the Cardinals loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth—on a walk, an error, and then two more intentional walks—an unlikely hero emerged.
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