Stairs’ way to heaven

Matt Stairs with the Padres (Elaine Thompson photo)

Longtime bat-for-hire Matt Stairs, playing then with San Diego, launches a ninth-inning, pinch-hit homer off Washington closer Matt Capps in the Padres’ 7-6 loss 16 years ago today before a Wednesday night crowd of 13,762 at Nationals Park.

The homer is Stairs’ 20th as a pinch-hitter, tying the major league record set by Cliff Johnson from 1972-86.

Stairs eventually finishes his 19-year career in the majors in 2011 with 23 pinch-hit homers.

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