Sports

Dodgers clinch tenth NL West title in 11 years with win over Mariners

SEATTLE (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West title for the tenth time in 11 seasons with a 6-2 win in 11 innings over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday evening.

Max Muncy’s single off Gabe Speier (2-2) scored Mookie Betts from second base with one out within the prime of the eleventh to present the Dodgers the 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. Afterward, the Dodgers held a quick celebration on the sector full of hugs, and division-title shirts and hats.

There was debate earlier than the season if San Diego could be able to take over the NL West from the Dodgers after its heavy offseason spending. However Los Angeles once more proved the category of the division and wrapped up the crown with a few weeks remaining within the common season.

“It’s thrilling. You look again, starting of the 12 months, center of the 12 months to see we’ve this chance tonight it’s a credit score to lots of people,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated earlier than the sport.

Whereas 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 prospect to make up floor within the AL West race.

Each Texas and Houston 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.

After 9 scoreless innings of terrific pitching on either side, every staff 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 Hernandez all struck out.

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 a few of the management points that emerged in his final begin.

It began shaky, with Kershaw strolling two of his first three batters. However 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 aid stint, putting 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 achieve third base towards 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 lively 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 towards the Angels. Gilbert has a 2.98 ERA over his previous 13 begins.

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