2002 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The California Quakes kicked off the series with a 5–2 comeback win over the Harper Woods Expos, riding a relentless offense and clutch defense to take the opener. The Expos struck first in the 4th inning. A. Sanchez led off with a triple and later scored on a passed ball, while T. Helton and T. Walker delivered back-to-back doubles to plate another. However, the Expos’ lead would quickly evaporate. In the bottom of the 4th inning, N. Garciaparra doubled and scored on an Aubrey Huff single. In the 5th inning, I. Suzuki and J. Olerud connected for back-to-back hits to tie the game at 2 a piece, and Garciaparra followed with another RBI double to give the Quakes a 3–2 edge.
The dagger came in the 6th, when E. Alfonzo crushed a 2-run homer off J. Washburn, extending the lead to 5–2. Washburn took the loss, giving up five runs in five innings. Quakes starter T. Ohka allowed two runs over five innings and earned the win, with the bullpen blanking Harper Woods the rest of the way. Joey Eischen pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Final Score: California 5 – Harper Woods 2
California Leads the Series 1-0 

Win: Tomokazu Ohka 1-0(3.60)
Loss: Jarrod Washburn 0-1  (9.00)
Save: Jason Durocher #1

The California Quakes secured a 5-2 victory over the Harper Woods Expos in Game 2, combining early power with late-inning insurance to take a 2–0 series lead. John Olerud opened the scoring in the first inning with a solo home run to center. Nomar Garciaparra added to the lead with a deep solo shot in the sixth. California broke it open with a three-run seventh, highlighted by Luis Castillo’s RBI triple and Ichiro Suzuki’s RBI double.
Quakes starter Andy Benes was dominant through eight shutout innings, scattering just a few hits. He outdueled Kerry Wood, who surrendered four runs over six innings despite striking out four. The Expos were held scoreless until the ninth when they finally pushed across two runs, but it was too little, too late. They managed only five hits in the game and couldn’t convert early opportunities, stranding five runners.

Final Score: California 5 – Harper Woods 2
California Leads the Series 2-0 

Win: Andy Benes 1-0  0.00)
Loss: Kerry Wood 0-1  (6.00)
Save: Joey Eischen #1

Down 2-0 in the ALCS, Harper Woods Expos secured a 4-1 victory over the California Quakes in a much-needed victory to begin their 3-game home stint. The Expos established an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding an additional run in the second. The California Quakes struggled to generate offense, managing only one run in the fourth inning despite recording nine hits throughout the contest.
M. Mussina delivered a stellar performance for the Expos, earning the win (W, 1-0) after pitching 6.2 innings and allowing only one earned run while striking out six. The bullpen, including M. Hendrickson, K. Ligtenberg, and E. Gagne, closed out the game, with E. Gagne earning the save. R. Wolf took the loss for the Quakes. Offensively, M. Grissom was the standout for Harper Woods, accounting for three RBIs with a home run. For the California Quakes, T. Salmon and L. Castillo each contributed two hits. California leads the series 2-1.

Final Score: Harper Woods 4 – California 1
California Leads the Series 2-1

Win: Mike Mussina 1-0  (1.35)
Loss: Randy Wolf 0-1  (3.38)
Save: Eric Gagne #1

Up 2 games to 1, California secures a decisive 6-1 victory over the Harper Woods Expos in Geme 4. The Quakes’ offense was fueled by power, including home runs from A. Huff and J. Payton. Huff’s blast contributed to a two-run fourth inning, while Payton added another run in the fifth inning. J. Olerud also had a strong performance, driving in two runs. L. Castillo led the Quakes with three hits on the night. The Harper Woods Expos struggled to generate offense, managing just five hits. Their only run came in the eighth inning via a solo home run by T. Helton.
California’s win was anchored by a stellar pitching performance from E. Dessens. Dessens (W, 1-0) pitched a complete game, allowing only one earned run and five hits over nine innings. Expos starter C. Zambrano took the loss, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits through four innings of work. California takes a 3-1 series lead into the final game of the Harper Woods homestand.

Final Score: California 6 – Harper Woods 1
California Leads the Series 3-1

Win: Elmer Dessens 1-0  (1.00)
Loss: Carlos Zambrano 0-1  (11.25)

California takes a 3-1 series lead into the final game of the Harper Woods homestand. In a or die game for Harper Woods, the Expos secured a thrilling 5-3 walk-off victory over the Quakes. The California Quakes initially gained momentum, scoring one run in the fourth inning and two runs in the seventh. N. Garciaparra provided a highlight for the Quakes with a solo home run and one RBI. I. Suzuki also contributed two RBIs for California. But, the Expos kept pace, scoring two runs in the fifth inning and one in the seventh before their walk-off effort in the ninth. The Expos’ offense was powered by home runs from E. Chavez and C. Gomez, each accounting for two RBIs. M. Grissom also crossed the plate twice for Harper Woods. The game was decided by the bullpens, however, and J. Orosco earned the victory for the Expos, while J. Durocher was charged with the loss for California after giving up two earned runs in the bottom of the nineth inning.

Final Score: Harper Woods 5 – California 3
California Leads the Series 3-2

Win: Jesse Orosco 1-0  (0.00)
Loss: Hason Durocher 0-1  (18.00)

The California Quakes shut out the Harper Woods Expos 6-0 in Game 6, powered by early offense and dominant pitching. N. Garciaparra launched a two-run homer in the first after Ichiro Suzuki singled and stole second. The Quakes added a third run in the fifth when Luis Castillo singled, stole a base, and scored on John Olerud’s sac fly. Suzuki added an RBI triple in the seventh, and California tacked on two more runs in the eighth to seal it. The Expos managed just five hits—doubles by Larry Walker and Todd Helton among them—but failed to score. Quakes’ starter Andy Benes was sharp, throwing six scoreless innings and allowing just three hits. The bullpen followed with three clean frames to complete the five-hit shutout.

Final Score: California 6 – Harper Woods 0
California wins the Series 4-2

Win: Andy Benes 2-0  (0.00)
Loss: Kerry Wood 0-2  (5.73)