Shohei Ohtani heads to 1st postseason after Dodgers clinch NL West title with a 7-2 win over Padres

Shohei Ohtani is set to participate in the postseason for the first time in his career, following the Los Angeles Dodgers' victory in the NL West on Thursday night. The Dodgers secured their title by scoring five runs in the seventh inning, culminating in a 7-2 win against the second-place San Diego Padres.

During his initial six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Angels, the Japanese star did not experience a winning record or postseason play. Last offseason, he signed a substantial 10-year contract worth $700 million with the Dodgers.

However, Ohtani made a rookie error by not wearing goggles, unlike most of his teammates, during the celebratory festivities in the alcohol-laden clubhouse. He was seen blinking repeatedly, with his eyes appearing red while addressing the media outside the lively celebration.

“It stung a little bit in my eyes,” he remarked with a smile. “It was an incredible feeling, and I hope to continue celebrating with more champagne.”

Ohtani had an impressive performance, going 3 for 5, contributing a go-ahead run and scoring another.

“Today, I arrived at the stadium with a strong desire to clinch, and I am pleased that we accomplished that,” Ohtani stated through an interpreter.

His blue T-shirt was thoroughly drenched, and his dark hair was dampened. The aroma of cigar smoke wafted from the clubhouse.

Shohei was doused in champagne, and as manager Dave Roberts remarked, "He will likely carry the scent of a brewery for the next week. This is precisely what Shohei aspired to be a part of, and he has been nothing short of extraordinary throughout the season."

Recently, Ohtani made history as the first player in Major League Baseball to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. On Thursday, he also reached 400 total bases, a milestone not accomplished since 2001.

The Dodgers had not secured a division title at home since the shortened 2020 season, during which cardboard cutouts filled the stands in place of actual fans. The last occasion when fans were present for a home clinching was in 2018.

General manager Brandon Gomes commented, "It’s complete chaos, which is exactly how it should be, and it never loses its excitement."

A sellout crowd of 52,433, including former Dodgers star Manny Ramirez, filled Dodger Stadium for the decisive game of the important series. The team achieved their 41st comeback victory of the season, the highest in the National League.

Catcher Will Smith expressed pride in his teammates, stating, "There’s just a lot of determination among these players," as he joined them in wearing T-shirts that proclaimed ‘We Own the West.’

The Dodgers won two out of three games against the Padres and will travel to Colorado for a three-game series to conclude the regular season.

With their 11th division title in 12 years, they secured a first-round bye in the postseason, allowing All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman time to recuperate from a right ankle injury sustained late in the game. He was seen using crutches and wearing a walking boot after the match.

The Dodgers improved their record to 95-64 and will commence the playoffs at home on October 5 in a best-of-five Division Series.

Smith ignited the Dodgers' rally with a tying two-run homer off Joe Musgrove, who had kept them scoreless for six innings while the Padres held a 2-0 lead.

"It energized everyone," Smith noted, marking his third season with 20 home runs.

Musgrove issued a leadoff walk to Max Muncy, after which Smith launched a 426-foot home run to center field, leveling the score at 2-2. This marked the Dodgers' first home run in the three-game series.

Pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández recorded a single and advanced to second base when Andy Pages reached on catcher’s interference committed by Kyle Higashioka. Ohtani then singled, allowing Hernández to score due to an error, while Ohtani safely reached second base following a throwing error by Fernando Tatis Jr.

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

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

The momentum against the Padres was somewhat diminished by Freeman’s exit after an awkward collision with Luis Arraez and the first base bag while attempting to evade being tagged for the second out of the seventh inning. Freeman was seen grasping his lower right leg before limping off the field.