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Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson (44) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) turns the game ending double play over Atlanta Braves second baseman Phil Gosselin (15) during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates Tony Watson fired a 95 mile per hour sinker. Fulton County Stadium was about to start partying. The Braves Freddie Freeman hit a grounder to Pirates first baseman Gaby Sanchez who picked it, and fired to shortstop Jordy Mercer at second base to start a double play. The Bucs shortstop made the turn and fired back to Sanchez to complete the double play.
The Pirates had just won their 86th game of the 2014 season and were headed to the MLB postseason.
Mr. September Gerrit Cole didn’t even realize what had transpired after the business like on-field handshakes. Cole gave up a run in each of the first and second innings–and Twitter blew up with disgust.
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Cole flipped the switch and Atlanta didn’t reach base against him again. The Bucs #BAMF was so intensely focused on getting 17 consecutive outs against the Braves, he didn’t understand what his effort had done until he walked into the plastic covered clubhouse where Andrew McCutchen was puffing on a cigar and covering his teammates in cut-rate champagne that probably tasted like Dom after the battling Bucs season.
Andrew McCutchen enjoys a cigar after Pirates clinch.
The no-move-was-the-best-move Pittsburgh Pirates are headed back to the promised land for the second consecutive season after a 3-2 win over the no-longer-tomahawkin-Braves.
Get your blackout gear Pittsburgh.
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) celebrates after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Justin Wilson (37) celebrates with teammates after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (47), relief pitcher John Axford (53) and relief pitcher Stolmy Pimentel (38) celebrate in the locker room after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) celebrates in the locker room after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington shown in the locker room after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (13) waves to the fans after the Pirates clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate in their dugout after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate in their dugout after clinching a playoff spot by defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports