Throwback Thursday: Piazza And Dodgers Keep Giants From Division Title
As the Los Angeles Dodgers travel to San Francisco for a pivotal three-game series with the Giants, we look back at one of the most memorable moments in the storied rivalry.
The Giants were in a pennant race with the Atlanta Braves in 1993 and their season hinged on a four-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Giants won the first three games before Mike Piazza helped the Dodgers deliver a devastating blow in the series finale.
The Dodgers entered the final day of the regular season with an 80-81 record and well out of the playoff race. However for the Giants, they needed to win in order to force a one-game playoff with the Braves for the division title.
Already with a 3-1 lead, Piazza hit a leadoff home run in the fifth inning. The Giants continued to scuttle and Piazza extended the Dodgers’ lead with a three-run home run in the eighth.
Piazza finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a walk in the Dodgers’ 12-1 win that prevented the Giants from winning the division title. The 1993 season was a breakout one for Piazza. He hit .318, slugged 35 home runs and drove in 112 RBIs, was selected to his first All-Star game and won Rookie of the Year.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Dodgers May Get Bullpen Help From Boston Red Sox