Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he advances to second base on a San Diego Padres error after driving in the go-ahead run with an RBI single during the seventh inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied for a 7-2 win and secured their 11th NL West title in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Diego Padres star Manny Machado hits a single during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler tosses a baseball after giving up a hit during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove prepares to pitch during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani bats against Padres starter Joe Musgrove on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a single during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a single during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a single during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman runs to second base after hitting a double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman dances at second base after hitting a double during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez looks on from the dugout during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler walks back toward the dugout after giving up a run during the fifth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux hits a double during the fifth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks on after the San Diego Padres scored a run during the sixth inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar, center, is greeted as he returns to the dugout after scoring a run during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, right, speaks to his infielders after making a pitching change during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, far left, watches the flight of his game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith tosses his bat as he begins to run the bases after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith runs the bases after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith runs the bases after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, celebrates with Max Muncy after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith is showered with sunflower seeds as he returns to the dugout after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates in the dugout after hitting a game-tying two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani drives in the go-ahead run with an RBI single during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he advances to second base on a San Diego Padres error after he drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single during the seventh inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez celebrates in the dugout after scoring the go-ahead run during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts hits a two-run single during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs home to score on a two-run single by Mookie Betts during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a two-run single by Mookie Betts during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, left, gestures to his dugout after hitting a two-run single during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman (5) is helped off the field after injuring himself running to first base during the seventh inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech, front, celebrates as catcher Will Smith joins him after the final out of their 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres, which clinched the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech celebrates after the final out of their 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres, which clinched the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, front, hugs catcher Will Smith as they celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates with relief pitcher Michael Kopech as they celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts, second from left, greets teammate Kike Hernández (8) as they celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, front, hugs teammate Teoscar Hernández as they celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler puts on an NL West champions T-shirt as he and the team celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts waves to the crowd as the team celebrates after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres, 7-2, to win the National League West title on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the division for the 11th time in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he advances to second base on a San Diego Padres error after driving in the go-ahead run with an RBI single during the seventh inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied for a 7-2 win and secured their 11th NL West title in the past 12 years. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — The most thunderous response is not always the one that resonates the most.
After a season with more than 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, it was Shohei Ohtani’s trickle of a single to right field that was the difference Thursday night as the Dodgers won their 11th National League West title in the past dozen seasons.
Ohtani’s 126th RBI of the season will be one of his most memorable, regardless of the 88-mph exit velocity. The run-scoring, go-ahead single came in the same inning Will Smith hit a game-tying two-run home run and Mookie Betts added a two-run single for some insurance.
An inning later, Andy Pages lit the fireworks with a mammoth two-run home run in a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.
“This series was something special,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “It was something that stood out for me over the year. Obviously, to be able to clinch it is the reason I am here (with the Dodgers).”
In an MVP season when Ohtani has delivered a majority of the Dodgers’ majestic shots, he let others flex their muscles, content to deliver on a three-hit night for his fifth multi-hit game over his last seven contests.
“It’s unprecedented,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani’s 53-homer, 56-stolen base season with three games remaining. “It’s something that I know Shohei’s dreamed about ever since he was a young kid, and now he’s living it right now in real time.
“He’s put on a show the last couple weeks and obviously what a year he’s having. We’re going to ride that horse, that thoroughbred, to a championship.”
Walker Buehler pitched well in his final tuneup start, Anthony Banda (3-2) recorded the win in his return from the injured list and midseason arrival Michael Kopech recorded the final three outs.
“I’ve had a rough year,” Buehler said. “There’s one thing I’ve kind of hung my hat on is pitching in big games. Their guy (Joe Musgrove) threw the ball pretty well, too, so some big runs at the end saved us.”
Buehler gave up one run on five hits over five innings with one walk and one strikeout against the contact-happy Padres.
But not all moments were celebratory after Freddie Freeman departed in the Dodgers’ productive seventh inning when he rolled his right ankle at first base while trying to beat out a ground ball. He was on crutches and in a walking boot after the game.
“I’m not too worried about it,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We’re gonna be cautious. We have no reason to play him (at Colorado). We could have, potentially, if we needed it. We don’t need it. So we’ll make sure that he’s rested up and ready to go next (next) Saturday.”
The Dodgers clinched by winning two of three against the Padres this week. In the lone game San Diego won this week, the Padres celebrated themselves with their own champagne party in the visitors’ clubhouse after securing a postseason berth.
The neighborhood carpet cleaner has never been so busy.
“It really just kind of let us know that we’re gonna fight,” Betts said of the series. “We’re going to fight till the end, no matter what. … It never gets old. It’s always cold, but whenever you get champagne on us, we did something good.”
It was the first time the Dodgers clinched the division at home since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and the first time at home with fans in the stands since 2018. A sellout crowd of 52,433, including retired Dodgers star Manny Ramirez, packed Dodger Stadium for the finale of the crucial series between the top two teams in the NL West.
The win also guaranteed the Dodgers (95-64) a top-two seed and a first-round bye in the postseason. They will open the playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 5 at home in a best-of-five NL Division Series.
“They all feel sweet, but I’ll tell you man, with what we’ve gone through this year, this feels a tick sweeter,” Roberts said. “I’m just so proud of these guys, the way that we’ve fought the adversity, stuck together and found a way to win this division again. It was hard-fought and we earned it.”
With the Padres leading 2-0 through six innings, the Dodgers kicked off their five-run seventh in style. Max Muncy earned a leadoff walk and Smith tied it on a home run to center field, his 20th on the season but just his third this month.
Kiké Hernandez had a pinch-hit single before Pages was awarded first base on catcher’s interference. Ohtani then hit a dribbler that found its way between Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth and first baseman Luis Arraez.
After Betts hit his two-run double for a 5-2 lead, he thumped his chest at first base after going hitless in the first two games of the series.
“It feels great,” Betts said. “Every time I can say we did that, hold up that banner, it’s amazing.”
"I couldn't be more proud of these guys… We checked box number one. Long way to go, but we're going to celebrate tonight." Dave Roberts with @kirsten_watson following tonight's division-clinching win. pic.twitter.com/VeMFiuf76r
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