Dodgers become first team to clinch playoff spot

NATIONAL LEAGUE DODGERS 7, PADRES 5

SAN DIEGO — While the Los Angeles Dodgers are regular participants in postseason baseball, there was something unusual about becoming the first team in the pandemic-shortened season to clinch a berth in the expanded playoffs.

“It’s different, I guess. I just found that out five minutes ago,” Manager Dave Roberts said in his video news conference after the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 7-5 to take two of three in a matchup of the National League’s two top teams.

The Dodgers opened a 31/2-game lead in their quest for an eighth consecutive NL West title by beating the Padres for the second day in a row. Dustin May threw 51/3 gutty innings out of the bullpen, AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor homered and Will Smith drove in three runs.

“I’m celebrating by saying I’m proud of our guys and it was a great series,” Roberts said. “I think it caught us all by surprise because we were so focused on trying to win this series. I think word will travel once we get on the plane.”

San Diego, quieted by Dodgers pitching a second consecutive game even as it heads for its first playoff berth since winning the division in 2006, has lost two in a row for the first time since mid-August.

At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988, having lost in the Fall Classic under Roberts in 2017 and 2018.

Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.