Dodgers Make First Visit To SF Since Giants Fan Attack
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers meet in San Francisco Monday for the first time since a South Bay fan suffered likely brain damage in an attack outside Dodger Stadium on opening day in Los Angeles.
The clubs have been historic rivals dating back to their roots in New York, but both organizations have come out to condemn fan violence in days since life-long Giants fan Bryan Stow, an emergency medical technician, was kicked and beaten in the parking lot following the Giants loss on March 31st.
KCBS' Mike Sugerman Reports About the Bay:
The Giants teamed up with American Medical Response, Stow's employer, to collect donations at the gates and throughout the ballpark Monday for a fund set up to help Stow's family pay his hospital bills, said Gil Glass, a general manager at AMR.
The Giants will make an initial contribution of $10,000 to the fund and encourage fans to donate as much as they can.
"We're looking forward to a great game, having a good time and raising money for Bryan and his family," Glass said.
Stow remained in a medically-induced coma Monday as police continued to search for his assailants. At one point, doctors had to remove the entire left side of Stow's skull to ease pressure on his brain. Authorities have had little luck identifying Stow's attackers, despite a $150,000 reward and sketches of the suspects.
Giants executives, along with San Francisco city officials have come out discouraging fans from engaging in any retaliatory behavior as the Dodgers come to town for a three-game series.
"If you're seen extremely intoxicated, we're going to put you in detox," Esparza said.
He said people at the ballpark would see a "significant visible increase" of officers at Monday's game.
"We want people to enjoy the game, but we want them to remain civilized," he said.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
The Dodgers Organization was also holding a fundraiser Monday to help pay for Stow's medical care. Individuals wishing to make a donation can also visit www.support4stow.blogspot.com.
Last season, the Giants marched to their first World Series title in 56 years with a record that never dipped below .500. They haven't been above .500 yet in 2011.
Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his Dodgers teammates are looking to make sure that doesn't happen in the coming days. San Francisco (4-5) went on an impressive run to its first World Series championship since 1954, finishing 92-70 to capture the NL West before winning 11 of 15 playoff games.
It may be early, but things aren't going nearly as well this season.
The Giants reached .500 for the first time over the weekend, but dropped back below the mark and saw their three-game winning streak snapped with Sunday's 6-1 loss to St. Louis.
The struggles began at Chavez Ravine. San Francisco opened the season with a 2-1 loss on March 31, and went on to drop three of four in the series.
Kershaw (1-1, 2.08 ERA) was outstanding in the season opener, outpitching Giants ace Tim Lincecum by striking out nine while allowing four hits in seven scoreless innings. The left-hander was even better in his last start at San Francisco, throwing a four-hitter in a 1-0 victory Sept. 14.
He has a 1.23 ERA in seven games - six starts - against the Giants, but just a 2-1 record to show for it.
Kershaw wasn't as sharp Tuesday, allowing three runs and two homers while fanning eight in six innings of a 3-0 loss at Colorado.
"It was a frustrating night," he said. "They put some good swings on it. I'm not going to discredit them. They hit some balls hard, they hit some balls far."
The Dodgers lost 7-2 at San Diego on Sunday, failing to complete a three-game sweep.
Matt Kemp went 8 for 13 with five stolen bases over the weekend, increasing his season average to .438. The center fielder went 5 for 12 with two doubles, a homer and three RBIs in the last series with the Giants.
He's singled in both of his at-bats against scheduled San Francisco starter Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 9.00), San Francisco's scheduled starter.
Bumgarner won his only career start against the Dodgers, yielding two runs - one earned - in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-2 victory last July 19.
The 21-year-old left-hander struggled to get 2011 off to a positive start Tuesday, surrendering three runs and five hits with three walks before being lifted after three innings of a 3-1 loss at San Diego.
"He's going to be fine," manager Bruce Bochy told the Giants' official website. "The game didn't get out of hand. Give him credit."
Catcher Buster Posey should be back in the lineup after being rested Sunday. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year has at least one hit in seven of eight games.
Posey is 4 for 8 with a homer and two RBIs in San Francisco's last two home matchups with the Dodgers, but is 2 for 12 against Kershaw.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)
