BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Piazza Could Get Aced Out in End

It may not seem fair.

Certainly, when you’re leading the National League batting race throughout the second half, only to lose out when the season is over, it can be difficult to stomach.

“But what are you going to do,” catcher Mike Piazza said. “I did all I could do. I wish I was swinging better, but I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.”

Yet, instead of becoming the first catcher since Ernie Lombardi of the Boston Braves in 1942 to win a batting title, Piazza probably will finish no higher than second.

Piazza may have entered Thursday night with a league-leading .342 batting average, but Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn has become almost a shoo-in for his seventh batting title despite not having the necessary plate appearances. Gwynn is batting .357, but with only 483 plate appearances, he is 19 shy of reaching the minimum 502 needed to qualify for a title.

Any player who falls shy of the 502 plate appearances can still qualify for the batting title by adding hitless at-bats. That is why Gwynn would still win the batting title if the season ended today.

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The Dodgers were informed that if they open the division playoffs against the St. Louis Cardinals, they will play their first two games at 1 p.m. PDT Tuesday and Thursday in St. Louis. The final three games of the best-of-five series at Dodger Stadium are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5; 8 p.m. Oct. 6; and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7.