1973 09-23 Reds at Dodgers

The final home game of the 1973 season at Dodger Stadium delivered high drama as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Cincinnati Reds in a pivotal matchup with major implications for the National League West race. The Dodgers took an early 4-0 lead, fueled by home runs from Steve Garvey and Tom Pashorek, and built momentum with strong pitching from Tommy John, who delivered a dominant seven-inning start. Despite Freddie Norman’s early exit due to control issues, the Reds mounted a fierce comeback in the eighth inning, sparked by a stolen base from Joe Morgan and a two-run single from Tony Perez, narrowing the gap to 6-4. However, the Dodgers’ bullpen held firm, with Jim Brewer sealing the game by striking out Dan Greesen with a decisive screwball in the ninth inning. Defensive adjustments, including a shift to counter the sun, proved crucial in preserving the 6-4 victory. The win marked the Dodgers’ 50th home win of the season, a significant milestone celebrated by a near-capacity crowd of 50,007 and a tribute to manager Walter Alston on the eve of his 20th season. The broadcast, rich with sponsor integrations from Union Bank, Olympia Beer, Union 76, Farmer John, and KTAR Radio, captured the electric atmosphere and the emotional stakes of a season-defining contest.