2000 American Division Champions!

Dodgers Prevent Major Quake's Damage and Win 12-9

The American Division was the final game of Championship Day at JetHawk Stadium. The #7 seed North Hollywood Dodgers (10-7-3) rose to the occasion, outlasting the #3 seed Southern California Quakes (13-7) in a 12-9 thriller under the lights.

Dodgers starter Merrill Dunn helped his own cause by collecting 5
hits in six at-bats, including 2 doubles and two RBI to go along with his six innings pitched. He recorded 3 strikeouts, 0 walks and allowed 10 hits en route to victory.

We new this was to be a battle since the two teams split a double-header earlier in the season.

The Quakes made things interesting in the ninth inning, scoring four runs on four hits. Rightfielder, Karl Castro shined with a leadoff homerun to leftcenter only later to have the momentum diminish when third baseman Andy Gadt was picked off at first base. Centerfielder, Gary Godbold was also sensational, smacking three doubles. Godbold wasn't the only one swinging a hot bat for the Quakes. Vince "The Sargent" Iuculano also added three singles. The ninth inning rally by the Quakes eventually came up short when Reggie Smith Jr., representing the tying run, flied out to the warning track in left. Cesar Soto threw the final three innings to preserve the win for Dunn and the Dodgers. Soto was also hot with the stick and went 3-for-5 at the plate.

Albert Palma doubled twice and drove in three runs, while Cesar Sanchez reached base five times and scored four of the Dodgers runs.