The Los Angeles Dodgers got back in the win column on Saturday night, jumping out to an early lead and riding it to a 7-2 victory to lower their magic number to clinch the National League West to seven.
The Colorado Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks so the Dodgers’ lead in the division remained 1.5 games. The Dodgers hit three home runs on the night, giving them 222 total on the season which is a new franchise record. The previous total of 221 was set just last year.
Joc Pederson was the first to go deep, launching a solo shot to right field to begin the bottom of the first. The leadoff home run was Pederson’s seventh this season and 10th of his career.
Manny Machado then hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third open to break the game open for the Dodgers. The three RBI put Machado to 100 total on the season, marking the first time in his career that he has done that.
The Dodgers’ final long ball of the night came off the bat of Yasmani Grandal in the sixth inning to set the record. Grandal has 24 total on the season, but this was just his fourth hitting right-handed.
Rich Hill turned in a solid start on the mound to earn his team-leading 10th victory of the season. Hill got through seven innings for the first time since July 27, allowing just four hits and a run while striking out seven without walking anyone.
