Bobby Cox managed his final game last night and like the first three games of the NLDS series, Game Four between the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants went down to the final batter and was decided by one run.

Madison Bumgarner and Derek Lowe both threw quality starts before the bullpens eventually determined the outcome of the game. Aided once again by the Braves shoddy defense, the Giants scored the winning run following Alex Gonzalez’s second error of the game in the seventh inning.

Another dramatic ending was set up in the bottom of the 9^th inning when Giants reliever Brian Wilson allowed two base-runners before getting Melky Cabrera to ground out to end the game.

The series was filled with drama. Tim Lincecum turned in one of the most dominant playoff performances in Game One of the series; the Giants won the game 1-0 after umpire Paul Emmel erroneously called Buster Posey safe on a stolen base attempt in the fourth inning.

The Giants seemed in complete control in Game Two with a 4-0 lead until a late Braves rally off Brian Wilson tied the game at four. With the game tied, Troy Glaus started a key double play in the bottom of the tenth setting up Rick Ankiel to send a game-winning shot over the fence in the 11^th inning for the Braves win.

With the series moved across the country to Atlanta, Giants’ starter Jonathan Sanchez dominated the Braves before giving way to reliever Sergio Romo who allowed pinch hitter Eric Hinske to hit a two run homerun in the bottom of the eighth.

The Braves, who appeared ready to win another game in their last at-bat, were victims of Brooks Conrad’s terrible defense as the Giants scored the winning run on his third error of the day.

At the conclusion of the fourth game today, fans and the entire Giants team gave a standing ovation to Bobby Cox, who is retiring now that the Braves season is over. The future Hall-of-Famer walks away as one of the most accomplished and well respected men in all of baseball.

The win punches the Giants tickets to Philadelphia for the NLCS. While the Phillies will be heavily favored, we could get to see some amazing pitching matchups in the series. Game One will feature Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay, who have combined for 18 shutout innings and 22 strikeouts in their two postseason starts.

Used with permission of the author.

Along with contributing to Sports Climax, Brett Kettyle is the Atlanta Braves Community Leader on Bleacher Report and maintains a Braves column for MTR Media. Follow Brett on Twitter.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

It took all 162 games but the Atlanta Braves have finally clinched a spot in the 2010 Playoffs so it looks like mascot “Homer” will be donning his head at least a few more times this season.

Despite a rocky September which saw the team lose six of nine games against last place teams and lose five in a row against the Phillies at one point, the Braves will be playing as the Wild Card for the first time in franchise history.

Despite finishing the year with an offense that has only three productive hitters, the Braves were able to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 in the only game of the series that really mattered.

After falling behind 2-0, the Braves rallied back to take an 8-2 lead into the seventh inning. Tim Hudson, who could win Comeback Player of the Year, pitched seven strong innings, allowing four runs before leaving with the lead.

After Jonny Venters struggled early in the eighth, Billy Wagner was brought in to try and record the four out save. Wagner allowed three runs to score in the eighth, but struck out the side in the ninth to preserve the win.

The Braves didn’t officially clinch the Wild Card however, until the San Francisco Giants won 3-0 over the San Diego Padres later in the afternoon. When Brian Wilson completed the San Francisco shut out, the Braves finally had reason to celebrate.

All season long the Braves excelled at winning games in their last at-bat, so it somehow seems fitting that they won a close game on the last day of the season to return to the playoffs. Riding Derek Lowe’s 5-0 hot streak at the end of the season also helped their cause.

The Braves seemed flat after yesterday’s loss, but now should be riding high as they move into the playoffs for the final time in Bobby Cox’s illustrious career. With a strong pitching staff and some late inning magic, the Braves just might be able to get Cox that second World Series title that has eluded him for so long.

More MLB: Braves ride Derek Lowe’s 5-0 hot streak into the playoffs – Sports Climax

Used with permission of the author.

 Along with contributing to Sports Climax, Brett Kettyle is the Atlanta Braves Community Leader on Bleacher Report and maintains a Braves column for MTR Media. Follow Brett on Twitter.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC