The Los Angeles Dodgers hadn’t won a series against the San Diego Padres all season and seemingly saved their best for last, by taking the rubber match at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night.
The 7-2 comeback win not only gave the Dodgers their first series win against the Padres in 2024, but also clinched the National League West title. That in turn also guaranteed the Dodgers a top-two seed in the NL postseason bracket.
Joe Musgrove had the Dodgers scoreless into the seventh inning but Will Smith changed the trajectory of the night with a two-run home run that tied the game.
It lit a spark for the Dodgers as Shohei Ohtani’s RBI single put them ahead and Mookie Betts’ first hit of the series extended the lead to 5-2.
WILL SMITH WANTS THE DIVISION TITLE.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/CyNjIz0rFt— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
Shohei Ohtani wants to pop the champagne tonight.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/woPhXkRiex— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
As excitement started to build at Dodger Stadium, Andy Pages delivered a proverbial knockout punch with a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
This is the clip with Mookie and Tatís that everyone was talking about today, right?
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/LZu6LQXFT2— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
Andy Pages is ready to celebrate.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/zvpVQ39y9j— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
#Dodgers clinched the NL West at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 2018.
(🎥: @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/ehxZOIZU8J— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
Pages’ home run came hours after manager Dave Roberts said he could not see any scenario where the rookie outfielder wouldn’t be on the Dodgers postseason roster.
Here's Shohei Ohtani tossing his goggles away.
(🎥: @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/ImVMevU1l7— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
Shohei Ohtani is LIVING
(🎥: @ohtaniskidayo) pic.twitter.com/v69fZxJQC1— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
Shohei Ohtani got invited to Decoy's celebration
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/uohcAKnpxZ— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 27, 2024
Michael Kopech entered in the ninth inning for a back-to-back appearance and finished out the win that sent the Dodgers into celebration.
Dodgers NL West celebration
Roberts was first to address the Dodgers in the clubhouse, and Miguel Rojas also spoke before the team uncorked champagne bottles and sprayed beer.
Ohtani initially attempted to put goggles on before forgoing the eye protection, much like Clayton Kershaw has urged teammates to do. Ohtani later went onto the field to spend time with his wife, Mamiko, and dog, Decoy.
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