A’s bring some October history at Dodger Stadium into unusual Division Series - San Francisco Chronicle

This week’s American League Division Series between the A’s and Astros will take place in Los Angeles because of the coronavirus pandemic. The A’s have played four postseason games at Dodger Stadium, all in the World Series.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Los Angeles Dodgers Kirk Gibson reacts to his game winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Oct. 15, 1988 as he rounds the bases at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The homer gave the Dodgers a 5-4 win over the Oakland A's in the first game of the World Series. (AP Photo/John Swart)

Oct. 15, 1988, World Series, Game 1 (Dodgers 5, A’s 4)

Sorry, A’s fans, but you probably remember this one.

Jose Canseco hit a second-inning grand slam to push Oakland ahead 4-2. The A’s led 4-3 when Dennis Eckersley walked Mike Davis with two outs in the ninth inning, and gimpy Kirk Gibson followed with the ultimate “walk-off piece” — a two-run, pinch-hit, game-winning homer for the ages.

“I don’t believe what I just saw!” broadcaster Jack Buck exclaimed as Gibson hobbled around the bases.

Oct. 16, 1988, World Series, Game 2 (Dodgers 6, A’s 0)

Dave Parker, typically the designated hitter but playing left field on this night, collected three hits off Dodgers starter Orel Hershiser. The rest of the A’s lineup: zero.

Hershiser, on his way to earning World Series MVP honors, threw the first of his two complete games against Oakland. Hershiser also had three hits, and right fielder Mike Marshall launched a three-run homer off A’s starter Storm Davis.

Baseball - World Series '74 (Jackson Homers). Los Angeles. Reggie Jackson of the Oakland A's gets a heroes welcome at the dugout after smashing a home run in the second inning of the World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles today. It was the first run of the game.

Oct. 12, 1974, World Series, Game 1 (A’s 3, Dodgers 2)

Talk about big names in A’s lore. Reggie Jackson hit a solo home run, Rollie Fingers earned the win with 4 ⅓ innings in relief of Ken Holtzman and Jim “Catfish” Hunter got the final out to collect a rare save.

The A’s conquered a Dodgers lineup full of similarly familiar names, including the starting infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey. Also worth noting: Napa High’s Bill Buckner played left field and Cal alum Andy Messersmith pitched well but took the loss.

Oct. 13, 1974, World Series, Game 2 (Dodgers 3, A’s 2)

The Dodgers led 1-0 through five innings, in a taut pitchers’ duel between Vida Blue and Don Sutton. Joe Ferguson smacked a two-run homer off Blue in the sixth, stretching Los Angeles’ lead to 3-0.

Joe Rudi trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the ninth with a two-run single off reliever Mike Marshall. But Marshall then struck out Gene Tenace, picked off pinch-runner Herb Washington and struck out Angel Mangual to end the game.

This would turn out to be the Dodgers’ only victory. The A’s won three straight games in Oakland to earn their third consecutive World Series championship.

— Ron Kroichick