Cardinals clinch Eastern Division
On September 27th, 1982, the Cardinals clinched their first NL Eastern Division Championship in the franchise’s history with a 4-2 win over the Montreal Expos. In fact, it was the first championship of any type for the Cardinals since they won the NL Pennant back in 1968.
The Cardinals had just finished a seven game homestand which saw them going 4-3, and entering Montreal with a 5.5 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the start of a six game road trip to end the season. With a 90-66 record to start the series, the Cardinals needed just one win to clinch their first postseason birth in 14 years.
After a rain delay of 63 minutes, the Cardinals jumped on the Expos in the first inning. Ken Oberkfell hit a one out double and came home on a Dane Iorg single. Darrell Porter drew a walk and Willie McGee hit a line drive to left center field which went under the glove of Expo center fielder Andre Dawson. McGee circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run and the Cardinals had a 4-0 lead.
The rest of the game became academic, with starter Dave LaPoint going 5 2/3 innings, and Bruce Sutter recorded his 36th save. LaPoint won his 9th game of the season, with Expo starter, Bill Guillickson(12-13) taking the loss.
The Cardinals lost their next 4 games, but finished the 1982 season with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on October 3rd. They finished with a 92-70 record, which was the best in the National League.