Dodgers win one-game playoff with Tigers
With the right to meet the league-leading South Division champion Red Sox in a best-of-3 set beginning Wednesday on the line, Mathews followed Francisco Lizarraga's one-out walk with a two-out blast over the left-field fence, snapping a 2-2 tie.
Jovanny Rosario delivered a pair of RBI triples for the Dodgers, who finished with the third-best record among GCL division winners by taking the East with a 32-22 mark.
The Tigers, who captured the North title with a 32-18 record, took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Audy Ciriaco smacked a two-run triple. Ciriaco was thrown out at the plate trying to stretch the hit into an inside-the-park homer.
Mario Garcia (1-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Alfredo Figaro (0-1) took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits and a walk in 1 2/3 frames.
Michael Echan is a contributor to MLB.com.