In spite of a 79-79 record, the best in the Western Division this season, the San Diego Padres clinched their fourth divisional title Sept. 28 in grand style, beating the San Francisco Giants 9-1 at Petco Park. The victory gave the Padres their first divisional title since 1998 when they went to the World Series.
After finishing the final games of the 2005 season Oct. 2, the Padres will head to either St. Louis or Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to begin a five-game series. The winner of this series will go on to play in a league championship series to determine the National League champ that faces the champion of the American League in the Major League World Series.
Game 3 of the first round series is scheduled for Oct. 8 at Petco Park, where game 4, if necessary, will be played on Oct. 9. If a fifth game is required, it would be played Oct. 10 at the opponent’s city.
About 10,000 tickets for each of the Petco Park games are available starting Saturday, Oct. 1, by phone or through the Padres Internet site, www.padres.com. Ticket prices, which have been increased for the playoffs, range from $15 for a Park at the Park pass to $40 for upper boxes.
Mike Allen
