Umpires Avert Strike, Will Work All Games

National League umpire Paul Runge said Thursday night that the major league umpires will work all playoff and World Series games this fall, averting a threatened strike over the expanded league playoff format.

“We’ve agreed to work all games,” Runge said just before the start of Thursday night’s National League playoff game at Dodger Stadium. “My sense is that it’s over. We’re satisfied with the way it’s turned out. We feel the final result will be in our favor.”

The umpires had threatened to strike because their contract for the two championship series was for only five games; the series went to best-of-seven games this year.