The Greatest of All Time

FOUR SWINGS, FOUR HOMERS — ONE VIN On its 10th anniversary, we revisit the 4+1 Game through the master’s gaze BY JON WEISMAN

eptember 18, 2006. With 13 games In the ninth inning, San Diego seeming- remaining in the season, the Dodg- ly broke the game open for good by scor- ers had fallen half a game behind the ing thrice to go up, 9-5. Whatever writing SanS Diego Padres in the National League there was on the wall, Vin read. West, when their four-game series con- And the Dodgers will have to collect cluded with a rare Monday finale, a night themselves and go after Pittsburgh. It has never to be forgotten by Dodger fans. been a Friday night and a Saturday night San Diego took a 4-0 lead in the first combined emotionally, but now it’s starting inning; the Dodgers tied the score in the to feel like Monday. third. After both teams continued to threat- The Dodgers are asked to do what en, the Padres went ahead 6-4 in the top of they did (before), but they’ve out of the eighth. Los Angeles pulled within a run, innings. and Vin Scully was already amazed. Jeff Kent is the first batter in the bottom Boy, is this a game, huh? Wow. And this of the ninth. He redirects a 1-0 pitch from crowd loving every moment of it. It’s been Jon Adkins over the wall in center. a roller-coaster ride from depression to eu- So Adkins is rudely treated. Two pitches, phoria and all the stops in between. one run. It’s not Monday night here. It is Mardi J.D. Drew comes to the plate, and works Gras night. It is New Year’s Eve night. the count to 2-1.

PHOTO: JON SOOHOO 2016 DODGER INSIDER 43 The Greatest of All Time

Marlon Anderson capped a 5-for-5 night on September 18, 2006 with his second homer of the game.

And another drive to deep right center, The Dodgers had become the first team and that is gone! Whoa, was that ! in 42 years to hit four consecutive homers What is that line? Do not go gentle into — and the first ever to do it in the bottom that good night. The Dodgers have decided of the ninth. they’re not going to go into that night with- Can you believe this inning? Can you be- out howling and kicking. lieve this game? Padres closer Trevor Hoffman rushes And the game isn’t over. Julio Lugo and into the game. The future Hall of Famer Rafael Furcal each take their shots to end hasn’t had a blown save against the Dodg- it with long fly balls, but the end comes to ers in more than five years, Vin points out. the ninth inning, 9-9. Up steps Russell Martin, the Dodgers Well, wouldn’t you know this was gonna still down two runs. Hoffman throws his go extra innings? No, I don’t think you did first pitch. when it was 9-5 in the ninth. And a drive to left center by Martin … This crowd is beside itself with joy. You that ball is carrying into the seats! Three can come down the wall now. straight home runs! The reprieve is only temporary. In the Marlon Anderson, acquired by the top of the 10th, Brian Giles doubled off Dodgers only 19 days earlier, comes to the the Dodgers’ sixth , Aaron Sele, plate 4 for 4 and as the potential tying run, who then walked future Dodger Adrián needing only a double for the cycle. González intentionally. Pinch-hitter Paul Hoffman throws his next pitch. Ander- McAnulty drilled a pitch that center fielder son swings. Immediately after his follow- Kenny Lofton caught at the wall. through, he practically leaps out of the box. That ball had a chance to go out but And another drive to right center … be- just died at the last minute. There is a light lieve it or not, four consecutive home runs! breeze, but barely a zephyr. And the Dodgers have tied it up again! But Josh Bard, now a Dodger coach,

44 DODGER INSIDER 2016 The Greatest of All Time

The Dodger Stadium scoreboard glistened after the Dodgers’ four homers in the ninth tied the game, before ’s two-run shot in the 10th won it. singled to right field to once more put the To the plate came Nomar Garciaparra. A Padres on top, 10-9. And Vin once more ball, a strike, and then two more balls. commiserated with his audience. Then Vin called the 376th pitch of his Boy, you talk about the anguish of a fan. night on the job … There’s a lot of it, but they’ll remember this And a high fly ball to left field — it is a- game for a while. way out and gone! The Dodgers win it, 11- The 23rd player of the game for the Pa- 10! Ha ha ha — unbelievable! dres, two-time Dodger right-hander Rudy After his typical silence to let the pande- Seanez, entered in the bottom of the 10th. On monium at home plate speak for itself, Vin a full count, he walked the first batter, Lofton. had one final thought. And the Dodgers have a rabbit as the ty- I forgot to tell you. The Dodgers are in ing run … first place.

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