Dodgers clinch NL West title, lose Freddie Freeman to right ankle injury

Shohei Ohtani is headed to the post-season for the first time after the hometown Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West on Thursday night by scoring five runs in the seventh inning in a 7-2 win over the second-place San Diego Padres.

The Japanese superstar spent his first six MLB seasons in Anaheim, where the Los Angeles Angels never had a winning record or played in October. He signed a 10-year deal worth $700 million US with the Dodgers last off-season.

He made a rookie mistake, though. Ohtani wasn't wearing goggles like most of his teammates during the alcohol-soaked clubhouse celebration. He blinked hard several times and his eyes appeared red while talking to media outside the throbbing party.

"It stung a little bit in my eyes," he said, smiling. "It was an awesome feeling and I'm hoping to be able to continue popping more champagne."

Ohtani went 3-for-5, driving in a go-ahead run and scoring another.

His blue T-shirt was soaked through and his dark hair dampened. Cigar smoke spilled out of the clubhouse.

Ohtani recently became the first player in major league history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season. He reached 400 total bases Thursday, becoming the first player to do so since 2001.

The Dodgers had not clinched at home since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when cardboard cutouts replaced fans in the stands. The last time fans were on hand for a clincher at home was 2018.

'We Own the West'

A sellout crowd of 52,433, including retired Dodgers star Manny Ramirez, packed Dodger Stadium for the finale of the crucial series. They earned their 41st comeback victory of the season, tops in the National League.

"Just a lot of fight by these guys," said catcher Will Smith, who joined his teammates in donning T-shirts that read, 'We Own the West.'

Los Angeles took two of three from the Padres and head to Colorado for a three-game set to conclude the regular season.

The Dodgers improved to 95-64 and will open the playoffs Oct. 5 at home in a best-of-five division series.

Thursday night's rally against the Padres was dampened by first baseman Freddie Freeman's departure after awkwardly colliding with Luis Arraez and the first base bag trying to avoid being tagged for the second out of the seventh inning. Freeman grabbed at his lower right leg before hobbling off the field.

The Dodgers' 11th division title in 12 seasons earned them a first-round bye in the post-season. That will give all-star first baseman Freeman time to recover. He was on crutches and in a walking boot after the game.

There is reportedly no structural damage and the Dodgers believe he'll be ready for the division series.

Freeman holds American-Canadian citizenship as both his parents are from Ontario.

Injured Kershaw hoping for playoff return

Clayton Kershaw is hopeful he can pitch for the Dodgers in the post-season, although his stubborn toe injury has still not healed.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been limited to playing catch this week rather than face hitters. Kershaw went on the injured list Aug. 31 with a bone spur in his left big toe. He didn't pitch until July 25 after having off-season shoulder injury.

"I'm not giving up," Kershaw said Thursday before the Dodgers' series finale against San Diego. "I'm going to keep trying every day. Maybe it will feel better in a day. I'm waiting for that day to happen."

The 36-year-old left-hander was 2-2 with a 4.50 earned-run average in seven starts before getting hurt.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw still must get himself built up, throw a bullpen session and face hitters.

The 10-time all-star said he's been assured by doctors he doesn't need surgery.

Kershaw's post-season ERA is 4.22 over 194 innings pitched. His regular-season ERA of 2.48 is the best of any MLB pitcher with at least 1,500 innings pitched since 1920.

Twins' season collapse continues

Otto Lopez doubled home the go-ahead run in the 13th inning as the visiting Miami Marlins beat the reeling Minnesota Twins 8-6 on Thursday.

Carlos Correa homered for the Twins, who were 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position and stranded 15 on the night.

"We had every opportunity put in front of us to win that baseball game," said Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers. "Our season is on the line and we weren't able to execute to get that run across."

The Twins (82-77) have lost six of their last eight and now trail the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals by three games in the race for the last two American League wild-card spots. They would be eliminated with one more loss or one victory by Detroit and Kansas City.

"I know how we've played. I've been here and been a part of it and watched it all," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "We are not eliminated right now, at this point. And I don't have the mindset that we are out of this.

"I don't care who's available in the pen tomorrow. I don't care how we played today. My intention is to win out ... and see what happens."

Miami (59-100) knocked out Twins starter David Festa in the fifth after he allowed singles to four of the first five batters he faced in the inning.

Twins ace Pablo Lopez (15-9, 4.11) will make his final start of the season against the Baltimore Oriolers on Friday.