Los Angeles Dodgers clinch NLs top seed, 8th straight division title – ESPN

LOS ANGELES– Wrapping up an NL West title has ended up being regular for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but in a year in which nobody was sure 3 months ago if there would be a baseball season, manager Dave Roberts desired his group to appreciate the moment.
The Dodgers clinched the NLs top postseason seed and eighth straight department title with a 7-2 success over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. They are the 3rd group to win at least eight straight department titles, signing up with the Atlanta Braves (14 straight from 1991 to 2005) and New York Yankees (nine straight from 1998 to 2006).
” To fast-forward a couple months and be crowned NL West champs is a credit to everyone. It should never ever be taken for given,” Roberts stated.
The Dodgers, who own the best record in the majors at 39-16, were the first string in baseball to clinch a playoff berth on Sept. 16. They will open postseason play on Sept. 30 by hosting every game in a best-of-three series against the No. 8 seed.
2 RelatedLos Angeles came into the day with a magic number of two and got aid with the Angels 4-2 triumph over the San Diego Padres.
Instead of a wild event on the mound after Jake McGee set out Sean Murphy for the final out, players quickly went out of the dugout to commemorate with colleagues. Everybody grabbed a division clinching t-shirt and cap before heading to the mound for a group photo.
The clubhouse event was also muted. Champagne was involved, but it was gamers toasting one another with a glass instead of being showered in it.
” We talked about it– instead of disposing things on individuals. Its a minute you require to commemorate, and we did,” said Corey Seager, who had 3 hits and among Los Angeles four home runs Tuesday. “It stinks not being able to do champagne and beer showers because a few of the more youthful guys havent been able to experience that.”.
Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and A.J. Pollock also went deep for Los Angeles, which leads the majors with 104 home runs.
” This whole year has actually been odd. Theres no other method to describe it, “Muncy said. “Its sad not to be commemorate as typical, but we understand there is a lot more at stake.”.
Dustin May went five innings and enabled two work on three hits. The 22-year-old righty set a team record by not allowing more than three earned runs in any of his first 13 profession starts, that includes 10 this season.
The Dodgers headed to the mound for a group photo after clinching their eighth straight NL West title, but the event was otherwise muted. Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY SportsSeager tied it 1-1 in the very first with an RBI single and led off the fifth with a drive to focus off T.J. McFarland to extend L.A.s lead to 6-2.
Muncy provided the Dodgers a 3-2 lead in the 3rd inning with a two-run homer. Taylor and Pollock extended it with solo shots in the fourth off Oakland starter Frankie Montas.

Cody Bellinger included two hits for the Dodgers, consisting of an RBI single with the bases filled in the seventh.
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was scratched from the lineup less than an hour before first pitch since of left hamstring discomfort. He came off the hurt list on Sept. 15 and has not played in the field since Aug. 28.
Joc Pederson was in the lineup at DH after missing five video games while on the family emergency medical list. If Pederson will remain with the group for the entire postseason, Roberts said before the video game that he wasnt sure.
The Associated Press added to this report.

” To fast-forward a couple months and be crowned NL West champs is a credit to everybody. It ought to never be taken for given,” Roberts said. “Truth be informed, a lot of guys didnt know we might clinch. Its a moment you require to celebrate, and we did,” stated Corey Seager, who had three hits and one of Los Angeles 4 home runs Tuesday. Theres no other way to describe it, “Muncy said.