Giants fan critically beaten by Dodgers fans Crime

This artist sketch provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows one of two suspects wanted in the attack on the Giants fan at Dodger Stadium that took place during the longtime rival team's game Thursday, March 31, 2011. The attack left the victim in critical but stable condition as authorities asked any possible witnesses Friday for help in identifying the assailants. less This artist sketch provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows one of two suspects wanted in the attack on the Giants fan at Dodger Stadium that took place during the longtime rival team's game ... more Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Giants fan critically beaten by Dodgers fans 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A 41-year-old Santa Cruz man who traveled to Los Angeles to support the San Francisco Giants in the season opener against their archrivals was on life support Friday after being beaten by two Dodgers fans.

Bryan Stow, a father of two who works as a paramedic, was leaving the stadium with two friends after watching the Giants lose 2-1 Thursday night when the two men began to harass the group, said Los Angeles police Detective P.J. Morris. Stow was wearing Giants gear.

As the friends walked toward the parking lot, one of the attackers punched Stow in the back of the head, police said.

Stow fell and hit his head on the pavement, and authorities say his attackers continued to kick him as he lay unconscious. His friends were attacked when they tried to intervene. Their injuries were minor, police said.

But Stow is fighting for his life.

"He is stable at this point, (but) it could take a turn for the worse," Morris said, adding that doctors hope that brain swelling will subside and he will be able to breathe on his own.

Police are asking for help from anyone who witnessed the beating.

"There were thousands of people in the lot. It was totally horrific sight - it probably lasted about 15 seconds," Morris said.

A security video of the lot has not been very helpful, authorities said.

Police have described the attackers as Latino men in their late teens or early 20s. One was wearing a tank top, the other a Dodgers jersey.

Stow's parents, Ann and Dave Stow of Capitola, are with their son at the hospital.

"It's horrible , but I'm confident that we will get these people under arrest," Morris said.

"It's sad. It really is," Giants' manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's one thing for two clubs to go at it and compete. This goes too far. It's a shame someone is in critical condition because of a ballgame. Come on. Let's not get too serious about this. When it gets violent, it's gotten out of hand. It sounds like the guy got blindsided, which makes it even worse."

In a statement, the Dodgers called the episode "extremely unfortunate" on what "was otherwise a great day at Dodgers Stadium for tens of thousands of fans. We're committed to having the most fan- and family-friendly environment in baseball and will continue to make that a top priority."

The stadium has been plagued by opening day violence in the past.

In April 2009, a man stabbed a friend in the stadium parking lot after the home opener, in which the Dodgers beat the Giants 11-1. Arthur Alvarez was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Alvarez, who contended that he was knocked to the ground and acted in self-defense, was later acquitted by a jury.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.