The 2001 Dodgers - Game Reports

Game 20
Dodgers 10 - Giants 6

The Dodgers clinched a berth in the City Championship Series Friday night with a 10-6 victory over the pesky Giants at dusty Little League Park. It was another strong offensive showing for the Dodgers who hammered out 10 hits and all 10 runs in the first 3 innings. Pete Loizzo was the offensive star for the Dodgers with a triple, a double and 3 runs scored. A nice play on a sharp ground ball in the first inning by Giant second baseman Matt Gassen prevented Loizzo from a perfect day at the plate. The top 4 hitters in the Dodger lineup had 2 hits a piece.

The Dodgers pitched by committee to hold off the Giants after building an early lead. Keith Neuberger started for the Dodgers and held the Giants in check during his 2 innings of work. Cam Hanson followed, working an inning and two-thirds. Hanson jammed a finger on his throwing hand preventing him from finishing his second inning. Trevor Foss worked an inning and a third before turning the closing duties over to Sam Markham.

The Dodgers whose final game of the regular season is against the Phillies, now wait to see who emerges from the American League to contend for the city championship. The upstart A's are currently a ½ game behind the favored Yankees.

Next week the Yankees play the Tigers while the A's play 2 against the White Sox. The A's will have to go deep into their pitching staff if they tie with the Yankees and are forced to play a third game, the division playoff, next week. If the Yankees prevail, it will be the second time in as many years that the Dodgers and the Yankees met for the city championship. The Dodgers have beaten the Indians and the Yankees in the previous meetings for the city title.