With the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the Oakland Athletics, it meant two of baseball’s best teams were squaring off during the final week of the regular season. It was the Dodgers that came away with a victory in the series opener, cruising to a 7-2 win to clinch their eighth consecutive National League West division title as well as the best record in the league going into the postseason.
The Athletics jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Dodgers answered back in the bottom of the first when Mookie Betts singled, advanced to second on a ball in the dirt and then scored on an RBI base hit by Corey Seager.
After Oakland scored another run in the third inning, the Dodgers answered right back again, pushing across two of their own in the bottom half. Seager got it started with a single, followed by a towering two-run home run by Max Muncy to center field.
This season has unquestionably been a struggle for Muncy, but he is now up to 11 home runs on the year.
L.A. was able to add two more runs in the fourth to break the game open a bit. Chris Taylor and AJ Pollock both hit solo home runs in the inning for their eighth and 13th, respectively, of the season.
The final home run of the night came off the bat of Seager in the fifth inning to cap off his big night. Seager reached base four times, with the home run being his 14th of the year.
May turns in strong outing, McGee gets final out to clinch division
Dustin May got the start for the Dodgers and as has been the case all season, turned in a solid outing. May only went five innings but was able to limit a quality Athletics offense to three hits and two runs while striking out five and walking three to earn the victory.
With a comfortable 7-2 lead in the ninth, the Dodgers went to Jake McGee to close it out. He was able to take care of business, securing the division title for the Dodgers as they gear up for another October run.
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