The Friars needed to win 2 games to click home field throughout the playoffs. The Dodgers needed to sweep to just stay alive in the post season hunt. What transpired was a classic battle of SoCAL where the home team won every game. That result ensured that SD would have the best record (25-13) in the NL and LA would come up short of achieving the post season, even with a 21-17 record. The big individual story would be Tony Gwynn finishing the season at .417 and leading the NL in hitting.
9/26-9/26 - Jack Murphy Stadium
GAME 1 - Padres 8, Dodgers 5
Even a 4 run rally in the 8th could not save the Dodgers from defeat as Tom Candiotti's kuckleball just didn't knuckle. John Kruk hit is 5th homer of the season and posted 4 RBI's, while Tony Gwynn went 3 for 4 to keep his average above .400 (.418) for the season. LA wasted a 3 for 5 day by Brett Butler. Gwynn also scored 3 runs, while Stanley Jefferson scored 2.
GAME 2 - Padres 1, Dodgers 0
Eric Show and Bobby Ojeda both pitched 7 shutout innings. Neither hurler would leave the game on the winning side of the ledger. Jim Gott, who pitched a perfect 8th inning of relief was not as lucky in the bottom of the 9th when pinch hitter Marvel Wynne (who doubled) scored on a Stanley Jefferson grounder to second. Lenny Harris charged the ball, but went for the DP instead of the bang bang play at the plate. Lance McCullers (3-1, 0.86) got the win as the Friars crowded the field to celebrate their post season status.
9/27-9/28 - Dodger Stadium
GAME 3 - Dodgers 3, Padres 2
Andy Hawkins and Orel Hershiser went toe to toe, but both left the game with the score knotted at 2. Mark Davis (0-2, 5.00) was chosen to keep the Dodgers in check in the bottom of the 8th and gave up 1 huge run to put LA ahead. With 1 out Eric Davis singled and stole second. With 2 outs Mike Scioscia singled home Davis for what would become the winning run. John Candelaria got the final 4 outs of the game and in doing so got the win.
GAME 4 - Dodgers 6, Padres 3
Down 3-2 and heading into the bottom of the 8th LA needed to get something going and fast. With the normally unhittable Lance McCullers (did I say that ???) on the hill the chances for LA looked slim. Eric Karros' one out double got it started. Dave Hansen's 2 run single made it 4-3 LA. Scioscia's double knocked in the 3rd run of the inning and pinch hitter Mitch Webster closed out the scoring with an RBI single to make it a 6-3 final. Jay Howell came on board to get his 4th save of the season to go along with his ballooned 6.75 ERA.
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