With the Cardinals dropping 3 of 4 the Dodgers needed to take 2 vs Houston for the Division and 3 if they wanted Home Field Advantage until the World Series. Mission accomplished on both accounts.
GAME 1 - A two out double by Joe Ferguson followed up by an RBI single from Bill Buckner broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 8th. A 2 out RBI single by Willie Davis in the 9th gave LA an insurance run to work with. Tommy John, who went 6.2 was poised for the win, but reliever Charlie Hough got that win after he allowed the game to be tied on a WP.
GAME 2 - Tied 2-2 after 6 LA thought they blew it open with 3 runs in the top of the 7th thanks to a bases loaded walk, a well timed ground out and a 2 our RBI single by Bill Russell. Al Downing was cruising, but lost his edge in the 9th as the 'Stros rallied to score 2 before veteran southpaw Jim Brewer (7th save) came on to get the final 2 outs (Biggio and Zaun).
GAME 3 - Having clinched the division and still thinking there was no shot for best overall record the Dodgers blew a stinker at home in front of a packed house looking to celebrate the divisional flag. Houston got a solid 3 hit performance from Biggio out of the leadoff spot and a great 7+ innings of work from spot starter Tommy Villone. The game was played in a crisp 2 hours and 31 minutes. The "killer B's" combined for 5 RBI's.
GAME 4 - The Dodgers tapped Osteen to start over Messersmith thinking it would be a good idea to save the latter for the NLDS opener. Osteen, having felt slighted, turned in a magnificent performance giving up just 1 run in 8+ innings on the hill. Doug Rau came on to get the final 2 outs when it looked like Osteen had hit the wall. Seldom used utility infielder Lee Lacy was 3-4 with a run scored. 3rd string catcher Chris Cannizzaro was the only Dodger, besides Osteen, not to get a hit. After the game the Dodgers found out the results of the Cardinals/Mets game and realized that they not only clinched the division title, but they also wound up with the best record (24-14) in the NL.
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