Dodgers rally with 5 runs in 7th and beat Padres 7-2 to clinch 11th NL West title in 12 years

Will Smith delivered a crucial two-run homer that tied the game, and the Los Angeles Dodgers added three more runs in the seventh inning to secure a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night, thereby clinching the NL West title.

The celebration was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to All-Star slugger Freddie Freeman, who exited the game after an awkward collision with Luis Arráez and the first base bag while attempting to evade a tag for the second out of the inning. Freeman was seen grasping his lower right leg as he limped off the field.

The Dodgers (95-64) had not secured a title at home since the shortened 2020 season, during which cardboard cutouts filled the stands. The last occasion that fans witnessed a clinching victory at home was in 2018.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” remarked manager Dave Roberts. “They fought and fought and fought and overcame adversity.”

A sellout crowd of 52,433, which included retired Dodgers star Manny Ramirez, filled Dodger Stadium for the decisive game of this important series between the leading teams in the NL West. Both teams had already secured their spots in the postseason.

“Achieving this in front of our home fans, defeating our rivals, and winning the series is incredibly satisfying,” Roberts stated.

The Padres initially held a 2-0 advantage as Joe Musgrove delivered six innings without allowing a run.

However, the Dodgers responded in the seventh inning. Musgrove issued a leadoff walk to Max Muncy, after which Smith launched a 426-foot home run to center field, celebrating with a bat flip as he equalized the score at 2-2. This marked the Dodgers' first home run in the three-game series.

Pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández then recorded a single and advanced to second base when Andy Pages reached on a catcher’s interference call against Kyle Higashioka. Shohei Ohtani followed with a single, allowing Hernández to score, while Ohtani reached second due to a throwing error by Fernando Tatis Jr.

Both Pages and Ohtani crossed the plate on a single by Mookie Betts, extending the lead to 5-2.

“I’m really happy,” Ohtani expressed through an interpreter. “Today I came to the stadium really wanting to clinch.”

In the eighth inning, Pages contributed a two-run home run with two strikes and two outs.

Musgrove and Walker Buehler engaged in a pitching duel for four scoreless innings before the Padres broke through in the fifth, with Arráez driving in a run on a groundout to first, giving them a 1-0 lead.

“Musgrove threw a heck of a ballgame,” remarked Roberts. “You have to tip your hat to him.”

Evan Phillips took over for Buehler in the sixth and surrendered consecutive singles to Jurickson Profar and Machado. They advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jackson Merrill, and Profar scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Xander Bogaerts, increasing the lead to 2-0.

Anthony Banda (3-2) earned the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief work.

Padres reliever Tanner Scott (9-6) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Musgrove concluded his outing having given up two runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and issuing one walk.

Buehler allowed one run and five hits in five innings, recording one strikeout and one walk.