Dodgers clinch 10th NL West title in 11 years with win over Mariners
SEATTLE (AP) — Clayton Kershaw doesn’t know what number of extra of those celebrations he’ll get the possibility to take pleasure in contained in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ clubhouse.
Wrapping up an NL West title nonetheless feels particular.
“You have to embrace it. You have to enjoy it. Like I’ve been saying, this could be the last one for a long time. Every year I say that, but you just can’t take it for granted,” Kershaw stated.
The Dodgers secured yet one more NL West crown Saturday evening with a 6-2 victory in 11 innings over the Seattle Mariners. It’s the tenth division title prior to now 11 seasons for Los Angeles, and the celebration featured hugs and championship T-shirts on the sector earlier than bubbly was popped within the clubhouse.
“Winning the division is something always special, but doing it by winning a baseball game and not by default makes it more special,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “Tonight we get a chance to celebrate with one another, celebrate with our fans.”
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This clincher had a really October really feel — a packed stadium, a tense 9 innings full of terrific pitching on either side and a few sudden heroics in additional innings.
Max Muncy’s single off Gabe Speier (2-2) scored Mookie Betts from second base with one out within the high of the eleventh to offer the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez adopted with two-run singles off Isaiah Campbell, and the quite a few followers in Dodger blue roared their approval as Seattle followers headed for the exits.
Evan Phillips (2-4) pitched the tenth inning and Joe Kelly received the ultimate three outs.
“This is one of the most special teams I’ve been a part of,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman stated. “I’ve had a great time this year. What a fun experience.”
There was debate earlier than the season if San Diego is likely to be able to take over the NL West from the Dodgers after its heavy offseason spending. But Los Angeles once more proved the category of the division and wrapped up the crown with a few weeks remaining within the common season.
“Every year is different, but for me this is the most fun I’ve had managing,” Roberts stated. “Certainly the players are a big part of it, and to watch those guys celebrate one another, pull for one another, sacrifice for each other makes my job that much more enjoyable.”
While the Dodgers will spend the ultimate two weeks of the common season solidifying their playoff place, the Mariners stumbled for a second straight evening with the possibility to make up floor within the AL West race.
Texas and Houston each misplaced earlier Saturday, however the Mariners couldn’t get a key hit with an opportunity to take the lead within the eighth inning. Seattle remained 1 1/2 video games again of first-place Houston and one sport behind the Rangers.
“Where we’re at right now, you’re disappointed the last couple of nights. We’re right there in the game. … You’ve got to let it go, wash it clean. We’re in a good spot to get into October baseball,” Seattle supervisor Scott Servais stated.
After 9 scoreless innings of terrific pitching on either side, every group received a key at-bat from a pinch-hitter within the tenth. Kolten Wong’s sacrifice fly gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, however Mike Ford answered with a two-out RBI single to attain Josh Rojas and tie the sport at 1.
Seattle had an opportunity to win it within the tenth, however Teoscar Hernandez grounded right into a drive play with the bases loaded to finish the menace. The Mariners additionally had runners at first and second and no outs within the eighth however J.P. Crawford, Julio Rodriguez and Teoscar Hernandez all struck out.
“I didn’t execute my job and Julio didn’t, either. Runners on first and second late in the game, we’ve got to get them over and we’ve got to get them in,” Crawford stated. “We (messed) up. I take full responsibility. I’ve got to get them over. I’ve got to do my job.”
KERSHAW RETURNS
Clayton Kershaw pitched 4 innings in his return to the mound for the Dodgers following an prolonged relaxation between begins. Kershaw had not began since Sept. 5 and the hope was the additional relaxation would assist dial in among the management points that emerged in his final begin.
It began shaky, with Kershaw strolling two of his first three batters. But he rapidly settled in and allowed simply two hits and struck out 4, throwing 55 pitches earlier than being lifted for Emmet Sheehan.
Sheehan was terrific in his reduction stint, placing out 5 and permitting just one baserunner in three innings of labor. Ty France singled with two outs within the seventh, snapping a string of 12 straight retired by the combo of Kershaw and Sheehan.
SEATTLE’S ROOKIE
Seattle starter Bryce Miller was the equal of the Kershaw and Sheehan combo, shutting down the Dodgers into the sixth inning whereas going through them for the primary time in his profession. The rookie scattered 4 hits and struck out 4, and the one batter to succeed in third base in opposition to him was Jason Heyward within the fifth inning. Rodriguez ended that inning with a terrific catch on Betts’ line drive.
Heyward had three doubles for the third time in his profession.
STREAK CONTINUES
Hernandez prolonged his on-base streak to 30 video games with a stroll within the first inning. It’s the longest energetic on-base streak within the majors and the longest this season by a Mariners participant.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Los Angeles had not finalized its pitching plans for Sunday, however RHP Gavin Stone was anticipated to work the majority of the sport both because the starter or following an opener.
Mariners: RHP Logan Gilbert (13-5, 3.62 ERA) will face the Dodgers for the primary time in his profession. Gilbert allowed three runs over seven innings in his final begin in opposition to the Angels. Gilbert has a 2.98 ERA over his previous 13 begins.
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