DLD Recap: Dodgers Down Athletics, Clinch Eighth Consecutive Division Title

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) / Instagram

Post-Game Briefing

Entering the night with a magic number of two, the Dodgers looked to capitalize and clinch their eighth consecutive National League West division title in this mid-week series versus the Oakland Athletics. With a San Diego Padres loss and a win in the first of this three-game set, the Dodgers clinched both the division title and the first overall seed in this year’s MLB postseason.

The Dodgers knocked in four home runs, racking up seven runs on 11 hits and four walks. Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger each had multi-hit games, leading the way for the high-powered L.A. offense.

Dustin May worked his way through five innings against Oakland on Tuesday night, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks. May didn’t necessarily have his best control against the Athletics, but still came out of the start with an impactful performance to look back on. Victor Gonzalez, Dylan Floro, Joe Kelly, Pedro Baez, and Jake McGee followed May out of the bullpen, each hanging zeros in the box score.

Scoring Plays

• TOP 1ST: Grossman solo home run (1-0 OAK)
• BOT 1ST: Seager RBI single (1-1)
• TOP 3RD: Murphy scores on a wild pitch (2-1 OAK)
• BOT 3RD: Muncy two-run home run (3-2 LAD)
• BOT 4TH: Taylor solo home run (4-2 LAD)
• BOT 4TH: Pollock solo home run (5-2 LAD)
• BOT 5TH: Seager solo home run (6-2 LAD)
• BOT 7TH: Bellinger RBI single (7-2 LAD)

Play of the Game

In the top of the ninth inning, Jake McGee tossed a slider low and inside to Athletics catcher Sean Murphy, converting a strikeout and securing a division title for the Dodgers. McGee’s title-clinching strikeout earns tonight’s Dodgers-LowDown Play of the Game.

Player of the Game

Corey Seager made four plate appearances for the Dodgers on Tuesday night, knocking in a pair of singles, a solo home run, and working a walk. Seager’s flawless night at the plate earns him tonight’s Dodgers-LowDown Player of the Game.

Did we mention it was good to be home? pic.twitter.com/yAkiriCfON

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 23, 2020

Up Next

The Dodgers will continue this three-game inter-league series with the Athletics on Wednesday. Julio Urías is set to start for Los Angeles, battling Sean Manaea and the Oakland offense. First-pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM PDT.

Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel and follow @DodgersLowDown for more.