The 2001 Dodgers - Game Reports

Championship Series
Game 1
Dodgers 6 - A's 1

Stingy defense and a quick start at the plate gave the Dodgers a 6-1 victory over the A's Monday night in the first game of the City Championship Series. Keith Neuberger led the game off and was safe on an infield error. Trevor Foss and Tanner Davis followed with singles, the latter of which scored Neuberger. Sam Markham then doubled to left-center driving in Foss and Davis. Markham later scored on a wild pitch giving the Dodgers a 4-0 lead. A's second baseman Mitchell Karleski kept the Dodgers from getting farther out in front by making a spectacular catch on a line drive off the bat of Matt Weaver to record the first out of the inning.

The A's did some hitting of their own in the bottom of the inning getting consecutive singles by Karleski, George Cullen and Isaak Smith. Fortunately for the Dodgers, the hits came with two outs and the A's were unable to push any runs across in the inning. Dodger center fielder Sam Markham flashed some leather of his own in the inning, hauling in a deep drive by A's shortstop Ben Fuhrmann just short of the center field fence.

Both teams traded threats without scoring until the A's half of the 5th. They snuck one run across without a hit after Dodger pitcher Matt Weaver loaded the bases on 2 walks and a hit batter. The leadoff walk in the inning eventually scored on a wild pitch that caromed toward the A's dug out.

The Dodgers answered with two insurance runs in the top of the 6th. Tanner Davis walked to lead off the inning. Sam Markham hit a groundball to third, and the runners were safe all around when Davis beat the throw to second. Davis and Markham moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a throw that got past the A's first baseman.

Matt Weaver finished strong on the mound. striking out the side to seal the game for the Dodgers. Weaver allowed four base runners in between 9 strikeouts in his three innings of work. Weaver now has 18 strikeouts in his last 6 innings pitched. The Dodgers and A's return to action at 5:00 Wednesday night at little league park. Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday night at the same time if necessary.