This was on MLB's Morning Report today and I was there!
This Day in History: LA's 4 Consecutive Home Runs!Sept. 18, 2006: Down 9-5 in the ninth, the Dodgers opened the inning
with four straight home runs to send it to extra innings.https://www.mlb.com/video/dodgers-blast-four-in-a-row-c10884789?t=this-date-in-historyI went to this ball game with my friend Mark that was lost to cancer, going on near a year ago, now. Yesterday would've been his birthday. Today, thirteen years ago, we went to this ball game (the day after his birthday, I see) on a Monday. We used to go to 10-15 games a season for about a ten year period!
If I recall correctly this night the traffic was pretty bad and it was one of the few times we were a bit late to the game. We sat down in our seats the top of the first inning and the San Diego Padres had already scored and they ended up with 4 runs in the top of the first. Not a good start. In the bottom of the first and second we got a run and in the bottom of the third we got two runs and the game was tied 4-4. It was then a long 4 innings with the score tied. In the top of the 8th the Padres scored three runs making it 7-4. We managed one in the bottom of the 8th making it 6-5. Then in the top of the 9th the Padres scored two more runs and it was 9-5.
As a Dodger fan trying to win the division this game late in the season was stressful and we had never been ahead all night. After the top of the 9th, fans began leaving in droves. Mark and I never left a game before it was over and it was understood we wouldn't even discuss such a thing, but after this very long hot game and Mark having to get up really early and the score 9-5, he broached that topic. He said, "Would you mind if we left this game early." After my silence for a bit wondering what to say because I didn't want to leave, even though the game seemed lost at this point, I decided on a way out for both of us and replied, "You know, I don't want to leave, but you can if you want to. I can catch a bus home, I've done it before and it's no big deal."
He didn't reply to that offer and nothing more was said about it. So, on to the bottom of the ninth. The Padres put in a new pitcher and our first batter up, Jeff Kent, homered to center field. It was something to cheer about and the remaining fans did so, but it was done with some derision, because it seemed too little too late. A nearby fan to us was shouting a lot of amusing things that you couldn't help but laugh along to. In the meantime, the Padres manager pulled that pitcher and replaced him with another, their now brilliant hall of fame closer, Trevor Hoffman, extending the wait. With him in the game it seemed like soon our misery would be over.
However, the next batter, J.D. Drew slammed a homer to right. This time the crowd just enjoyed it! Back to back homers, something you don't see that often. There was no expectation of anything else at that point, though. Then, up came Russell Martin. Russell was with the Dodgers for several years and went on to play in several other clubs. He is BACK with the Dodgers this year in 2019! He promptly hit another home run to left and the crowd was in joyous shock! What's happening here!?
The 4th batter of the inning came up, Anderson, and the crowd is buzzing big time. Meanwhile, after all this happening the cars in the lot and crowd that was on its way out are all trying to get back into the stadium! Unbelievably, Anderson hits a 4th consecutive home run to right and the fans are wetting their pants! Heh! Whoever saw such a thing before? And each one of these home runs added to coming closer and closer to possibly winning the game!
There was still NO OUTS! And after all that -- the game was only just tied, 9-9. We still never had a lead the entire game so far! With rapt attention from the crowd, the next three batters flied out, popped out and flied out! Extra innings, game tied.
The top of the 10th inning was not a quick one with the Padres sending up 7 batters in the inning, but scoring 1 run. The fans who were primed for more excitement plummeted back to earth and the 4 hr's in a row seemed futile. It was now 10-9. A lot of fans were leaving again!
The bottom of the 10th our first batter up, K. Lofton, got a walk and our next batter was Nomar Garciaparra. Nomar whacked a pitch to left field. Could it be? YES! IT COULD! The Dodgers get two runs on another home run and win the game 11-10, the first lead we had all game! Pandemonium ensued in the stadium and fans lingered while celebrating the exhausting night, but one that led to a thrilling and historic game to remember. It was ultimately so much fun that my friend Mark exclaimed, "I don't think I ever want to go to another baseball game ever."
Indeed, what could top that one?! And a nice memory of me and my friend Mark, whom I miss so very very much.