[3] Notably the Diamondbacks scored 20 fewer runs than their pitchers allowed,[2] one of just five teams in MLB history to make the playoffs despite being outscored during the season.

Six teams in the 2007 National League finished within five games of one another: the aforementioned Diamondbacks, Padres, and Rockies along with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs.

[5] Meanwhile, the 2007 Mets underwent what was described in The New York Times as "one of the biggest collapses in baseball history", becoming the first team with a seven-game divisional lead with only 17 games remaining to finish outside of first place, losing the East Division to the Phillies on the final day of the season.

A coin flip conducted earlier that September set the Rockies' home park of Coors Field as the location for the game.

[9] The starting pitcher matchup saw eventual Cy Young Award and Major League Baseball Triple Crown winner Jake Peavy against the Rockies Josh Fogg, whom teammate Matt Holliday nicknamed "Dragon Slayer" for his strong performances against ace starters throughout the season.

[10][11] The Rockies opened the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff double by Kaz Matsui, followed by a Troy Tulowitzki single and a walk to Matt Holliday to load the bases.

Fogg was relieved by Taylor Buchholz in the top of the fifth and, following a double by Tulowitzki, Peavy allowed the game-tying run to score on a Holliday single.

[13] The game remained tied until the top of the 13th inning when Giles singled off of Jorge Julio and scored on a home run by Scott Hairston.

Home plate umpire Tim McClelland ruled Holliday safe on the sacrifice fly, and the Rockies won the game 9–8.

[13] During the final play Padres catcher Michael Barrett attempted to block home plate from Holliday's slide while receiving the ball on a throw from Brian Giles.

[25] Also, Padres' starter Jake Peavy increased his earned run average (ERA) from 2.36 to 2.54 in the game and added six strikeouts to his season total.

[27][28] These titles combined to give Peavy a pitching Triple Crown and he went on to win the Cy Young Award unanimously.

[29] Finally, despite an error in the game, the Rockies set the single-season major league record for team fielding percentage (.9893), breaking the 2006 Boston Red Sox mark of .9891.

[30] Conversely, while the Rockies enjoyed a run to the World Series, and have qualified for the postseason three subsequent times since this game (2009, 2017, and 2018 two of which was managed by Bud Black), the Padres would not make the playoffs until 2020, thirteen years later.