Dodgers beat Nationals, trim magic number to 9 – Press Enterprise

WASHINGTON — The kids are back in school. Pumpkin spice is a blight upon the land once again. And the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch another NL West division title is down to single digits.

After losing four of five games to begin the month, the Dodgers have gone back to their usual September arithmetic, moving another step closer to clinching the division with an 8-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

The game was delayed for 94 minutes in the top of the seventh inning while a thunderstorm rumbled and lightning flashed over Nationals Park.

With the win, the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch their 10th division title in the past 11 years ticked down to nine.

During this run of division titles, the Dodgers’ earliest clinch was last year when the 111-win team put the division away after the 141st game of the season. They have clinched before the 150th game in a full season just one other time during this run – 2019, when they celebrated after the 146th game.

Friday’s win came in the 140th game of the season.

While the champagne chills, the Dodgers welcomed J.D. Martinez back from the injured list – and waited for the results from Mookie Betts’ visit to the doctor Friday afternoon.

Martinez announced his presence with authority, driving a two-run home run over the wall in right field in his first major-league at-bat since Aug. 19 and adding a sacrifice fly to drive in another run.

Chris Taylor filled in for the injured Betts as the leadoff hitter and reached base three times in the first six innings on two walks and a two-run double.

Freddie Freeman did him one better, reaching base in each of his first four times up – on two singles, a double and an intentional walk.

The double was Freeman’s MLB-leading 53rd of the season, breaking a franchise record that had stood since 1929 (Johnny Frederick).

Max Muncy and Kiké Hernandez hit solo home runs in the fourth inning, Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore’s final inning before a parade of relievers began.

In a performance that threatened to drain the battery of the bullpen cart, the Nationals went through seven pitchers in all looking for someone – anyone? – who could throw strikes and record outs.

The search resulted in 10 hits, eight walks and a hit batter before Mother Nature had seen enough. The game was stopped in the top of the seventh when a thunderstorm arrived and resumed with dozens of fans still on hand, enticed by a 40% discount on the remaining chicken tenders and hot dogs.

Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan stayed dry but didn’t fare well otherwise. He gave up five runs in 4⅓ innings on six hits including a three-run home run by Keibert Ruiz and a two-run homer by C.J. Abrams in the fifth.

More to come on this story.