The Los Angeles Dodgers closed out the regular season on a high note by sweeping the Seattle Mariners to extend their winning streak to five games and help Clayton Kershaw finish his 18th campaign strong behind a 6-1 win.
Hyeseong Kim provide the Dodgers with an early lead by lifting a two-run home run to right field with two outs in the second inning. The homer was Kim’s third of the season and first since May 31.
Freddie Freeman then doubled the Dodgers’ lead with a two-run homer to the left-center field gap in the third inning. The home run was Freeman’s third in his last three games since Thursday. He played just four innings in the finale at T-Mobile Park before being replaced by Dalton Rushing.
Shohei Ohtani, who received the game off Saturday night, returned and went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and home run. Ohtani’s homer came in the seventh inning, setting a new career high and Dodgers franchise record with his 55th of the season.
Ohtani’s previous career high came last season when he broke the Dodgers record for most home runs in one year with 54.
Andy Pages collected his first hit of the weekend with an RBI single in the eighth inning that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 6-0.
Charley said his favorite was Kershaw getting to 3,000 strikeouts.
Cali wasn't sure which one she'd pick. https://t.co/1zJ3zvJ5HE
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 28, 2025
The early run support was more than enough for Kershaw as he got through 5.1 scoreless innings. He faced some trouble in the third inning when a double and walk put two runners on, but both were stranded. Kershaw then left a runner at third base in the fifth as he struck out Cal Raleigh to end the inning.
Clayton Kershaw's final time walking off the mound in the regular season was with Freddie Freeman making the pitching change.
(🎥: @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/hZ23FZ8MSt— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 28, 2025
Kershaw remained in the game to start the sixth inning, but was removed after striking out Eugenio Suárez. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sent Freddie Freeman to do the pitching change, and he hugged Kershaw before the left-hander walked off the mound for the final time in the regular season.
Just like with his last start at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw received a standing ovation and tipped his cap while walking to the dugout.
Kershaw’s regular-season career closed at 223 career wins with a 2.53 ERA in 455 games (451 starts).
Landon Knack pitched 3.2 innings to close out the game and become the 12th different Dodgers pitcher with at least one save this year.
The Dodgers finished at 41-40 on the road this season and secured a winning record away from home for the ninth consecutive season (2017-2024). The Dodgers’ last losing season on the road came in 2016, when they were 38-43.
Reds vs. Dodgers Wild Card Series schedule
Next for the Dodgers is hosting the Cincinnati Reds in a best-of-three Wild Card that begins Tuesday.
Tuesday, Sept. 30: Game 1, 6:08 p.m. PT, ESPN, Dodger Stadium
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Game 2, 6:08 p.m. PT, ESPN, Dodger Stadium
Tuesday, Oct. 2: Game 3*, TBD, Dodger Stadium
*if necessary
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
