The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to show their dominance of the NL West with an 11-2 win against the Padres on Sunday in San Diego, securing a 2-1 series win and clinching a playoff berth in the National League.
With the victory, the Dodgers took one step closer to yet another NL West division title.
Lefty starter Andrew Heaney threw five full innings and picked up the win for Los Angeles, allowing two runs — one earned — on three hits and two walks while striking out six San Diego batters.
The Dodgers had five players with multi-hit games, including a huge two-hit effort from third baseman Justin Turner, who went 2-for-5 with a solo shot, a grand slam and five RBI. The game was relatively close until his grand slam broke the contest open in the seventh inning.
After the Padres stepped out to a 2-0 lead, JTurner’s solo homer in the third cut the lead to one. Chris Taylor landed his ninth homer of the year into the center field stands in the fifth, tying the game at two. A single by Max Muncy in the sixth scored Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, pushing Los Angeles ahead and setting the stage for the monumental seventh inning.
In addition to JTurner, Betts, Freeman, Trea Turner and Cody Bellinger all had two hits apiece for the Dodgers.
The bullpen looked decent, despite the game being out of reach for the Padres later in the contest. Alex Vesia threw a perfect sixth inning with two punchouts, and Chris Martin threw a scoreless seventh, allowing just one hit.
Righty Andre Jackson tossed two scoreless frames to finish the game, surrendering two hits and walking none while striking out two.
The Dodgers recalled Jackson on Saturday after placing Blake Treinen on the injured list with shoulder soreness.
Speaking of Treinen, the veteran reliever downplayed the severity of the injury and expects to return sooner than later. The move is retroactive to September 7.
“There’s just a level of intensity here in the majors that I apparently can’t simulate,” Treinen said Saturday. “I’ve just got some soreness in the muscle. Might as well take the time to calm it down. The capsule feels great. It’s just the muscles around it now that are active and working again in more of a heightened environment.”
The Dodgers could have mathematically clinched the NL West on Sunday, but a Milwaukee win over Cincinnati prevented that from happening. Instead, the team will have a chance to secure the division crown against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, creating flashbacks of the infamous swimming pool incident back in 2013.
Lining up to start the first two games of the series for Los Angeles are Tyler Anderson on Monday and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Outman should replace Vargas
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Outman should replace Gallo.
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I agree, but we know that won’t happen. Outman won’t have a shot again until spring training, unless an injury occurs.
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I’ve begun to see some signs that CT3 is beginning to come out of his funk. Definitely fewer strike outs over the past week or so and he seems to be making better contact.
I do have a problem with a lineup that has both Gallo and Belli playing at the same time, but I guess that’s what the front office and Doc are trying to figure out and are giving both those guys every chance to make the playoff roster.
I did notice something today with regard to Belli’s stance. It seemed as though he wasn’t quite as upright as he has been. It’s a very slight difference, just enough to be barely noticeable, but it looked to me that he was a little more ready to hit that way.
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This team is so dominant right now against these mediocre teams I guess it doesn’t matter to much right now. But jeff is right, we can’t have Beli and Gallo in the lineup together ( or Muncie for that matter). This is .like a replay of the last 10 years, and we all know how that worked out. We should be preparing for the post season, not having players auditioning for the post season, when their capabilities are well documented after125 games. And I would like to give Vargas a few more games to prove himself. We gave Beli a full season.
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Admittedly I’m a Muncy fan, but I don’t think you can talk about Max in the same breath as Gallo and Belli right now.
For the month of September, Max is 10 for 29 (.345 avg) and has 9 RBI in his last 3 games.
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I’m probably a bigger Muncy fan than you are. Love how he has worked hard to improve his defense, and his on base abilities, just not convinced after a few big games against Frisco pitching he is back. Until roberts benches him, then I’ll be convinced.
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If the Dodgers resign Tre Turner, Do you see Gavin Lux being traded.
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Not sure who it is your asking, but I’ll throw out my opinion.
Absolutely not!
As far as I can see, the Dodger brass are very happy with Lux and would like nothing better than to make him the long term second baseman, along with Trea at short.
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In a perfect world. But not all worlds are perfect. 😀
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Thanks Jeff D , Wasn’t asking anyone but thank you for your comment..
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Lux is not going anywhere. You may have noticed a complete lack of infielders on the farm and a aging group of infielders on the roster. No shortstop or 2nd basemen at all. He has also been a very steady player offensively.
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Lux is not going anywhere as Dodgers have to be thrilled with his performance. I would not be surprised to see Busch traded if they re-sign T Turner. If you pencil in Vargas for 23 and possibly Outman then not much room for Busch as Rios is probably back also. If they do not re-sign T Turner then it gets interesting. Do they play Lux at SS? Do they bring up Amaya who has not hit well? Or sign a different SS free agent? They will pick up J Turners option for 23 and I think sign Thompson. They will pick up Bellingers last year before his free agency. I imagine Gallo can get a decent contract from someone needing power. We can be sure Kasten and Freeman have a plan. I am hoping they do everything they can to sign T Turner. They put Amaya, Vivas and Leonard on their 40 man roster to protect them so they must believe they have talent.
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