Stairs’ way to heaven

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

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 with 23 pinch-hit homers.