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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, October 4, 2009

Dodgers top Rockies to seal NL West title


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw struck out 10 batters in six innings in a 5-0 win against Colorado.

GUS RUELAS | Associated Press

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LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers' magic number for clinching the NL West is down to zero — finally.

After a season-worst five-game losing skid, they came through with one game left in the regular season and beat the stubborn Colorado Rockies, 5-0, last night with a five-run seventh triggered by RBI singles from pinch-hitters Ronnie Belliard and Mark Loretta and six scoreless innings by 21-year-old lefty Clayton Kershaw.

It was the Dodgers' first back-to-back division titles since 1977-78.

"It never gets old," Dodgers manger Joe Torre said. "You do it with different people all the time. Just to see these men turn into little boys."

Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a perfect seventh for the victory. George Sherrill did likewise in the eighth and Jonathan Broxton got the last three outs.

Marlins 4, Phillies 3: Anibal Sanchez (4-8) allowed one run over seven innings to lead Florida over host Philadelphia, which still clinched home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs with St. Louis' loss.

The defending World Series champion Phillies have lost three straight since clinching their third consecutive NL East title.

Brewers 5, Cardinals 4: Ryan Braun reached 200 hits for the first time on a two-run homer in the first inning, and Milwaukee went on to beat host St. Louis to ensure the NL Central champions will open the postseason on the road.

Carlos Villanueva (4-10) allowed four runs in five innings to win.

Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 0: Randy Wells (12-10) allowed three hits in seven innings and struck out a career-high 10, helping host Chicago beat Arizona.

Wells' 12 wins are the most by a Cubs rookie since Kerry Wood had 13 in 1998.

Nationals 6, Braves 4, 11 innings: Justin Maxwell hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning and Washington beat host Atlanta.

After both teams scored two runs in the 10th, Maxwell homered off Manny Acosta (1-1).

Mets 5, Astros 1: Pat Misch (3-4) allowed one run and five hits in five innings before his outing was cut short by a long rain delay and host New York beat Houston.

Fernando Tatis had two hits and two RBIs for New York.

Reds 8, Pirates 4: Joey Votto homered and drove in three runs and Scott Rolen homered as host Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh.

Johnny Cueto (11-11) allowed four runs in six innings to get the win for the Reds.

Padres 2, Giants 0: Left-hander Wade LeBlanc held San Francisco to two hits in seven innings and struck out a career-high eight to spark host San Diego.

LeBlanc (3-1) walked one and allowed only one base runner to reach second.

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