Dodgers claim sixth NL West title in row
LOS ANGELES — It was quite a day for rookie right-hander Walker Buehler, who pitched the Dodgers to their record sixth consecutive National League West title.
Buehler allowed one hit in 6‰ innings, and Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy launched tworun home runs in the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory Monday against the Rockies in the NL West tiebreaker.
‘‘It’s a normal baseball game,’’ Buehler said. ‘‘It’s hyped up, there’s an adrenaline, but you’ve got to execute. That’s all you can do.’’
The Dodgers became the first major-league team to win six consecutive division crowns since the Yankees captured nine American League East titles in a row in 1998-2006.
‘‘It doesn’t get old,’’ ace Clayton Kershaw said.
The Dodgers will play the Braves in a best-of-five NL Division Series and will host Game 1 on Thursday.
‘‘We’re going to beat Atlanta,’’ Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said in a celebratory locker room after the game. ‘‘No matter who’s coming, we’re going to the World Series and bringing the 2018 championship here.’’
Denied their first division title in franchise history, the Rockies headed to Wrigley Field shortly after the game to play the Cubs in the NL wild-card game Tuesday.
‘‘Our guys will put it in the rearview [mirror], for sure,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. ‘‘The resiliency of this group has been awesome all year.’’
Pitching in 90-degree heat, Buehler was oh-so-cool in closing out a regular season that ended with Game 163 after both teams had identical 91-71 records.
The soft-spoken 24-year-old has been so steady lately that manager Dave Roberts had no qualms about giving him the ball for the crucial game.
‘‘He’s ready for this moment, and he responded,’’ Roberts said.
Buehler’s only slip-up came after the game, when he let loose with an inadvertent expletive on the field after having been handed the microphone.. He immediately put his hand over his mouth and apologized.
There was no need for Buehler to be sorry after his performance. He settled in quickly, retiring his first six batters, and didn’t allow a run.
‘‘Walker is a tremendous talent,’’ Kershaw said. ‘‘His competitiveness is off the charts. His ability is off the charts.’’
Buehler (8-5) had his no-hit bid broken up in the sixth on a single by Charlie Blackmon, who had two of the Rockies’ four hits.
‘‘[Buehler] didn’t fold at all under pressure,’’ Muncy said. ‘‘He went out and attacked them, just like we knew he was going to.’’