The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 49

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 C5 LATIMES.COMSPORTS Dodgers enjoy a little By clinching the NL West title early, players can take it easy before the playoffs begin Friday. Dodgers 6, Rockies 5 (12 innings) os Angeles (Times By Kevin Baxter OTTO GREULE Jr. Getty Images ANGELS STARTER C.J. Wilson looked sharp in a six-inning, one-run, four-hit effort against the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners beat the Angels, 2-1, on a walk-off hit by Austin Jackson.

Mariners' hopes alive Seattle is a step closer to making the playoffs, and Mariners 2' Anels 1 (1L innins AncrelQ' Wamrltnn tq still KEY MOMENT: With the score tied, 1 Jason Grilli with no outs in the ninth 1, the Mariners loaded the bases off when Kyle Seager reached on an infield single, Logan Morrison walked and Chavez beat out a sacrifice bunt. But Grilli, with the Angels employing a five-man infield, struck out Brad Miller and Chris Taylor and got Austin Jackson to fly to right, ending the inning. AT THE PLATE: Howie Kendrick had a double and single in four at-bats and is hitting .417 with seven doubles, two homers, two triples, 13 runs and 19 RBIs in his last 21 games. The Angels scored in the second when David Freese doubled, Chris lannetta was hit by a pitch and CJ. Cron grounded an infield single off the glove of Seager, the Seattle third baseman.

ON THE MOUND: CJ. Wilson eased the concerns of many Angels fans and probably his manager and pitching coach with a strong six-inning start, in which he allowed one run and four hits, walked three and struck out two. Wilson did not allow a runner to second until the sixth inning, when he pitched his way out of a two-on, one-out jam. Of his 85 pitches, 46 were strikes. TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Just as Oakland lost in Texas, Seager walked and Morrison hit a run-scoring double to right-center in the seventh to pull the Mariners even, 1-1.

Angels reliever Fernando Salas replaced Wilson, and Endy Chavez's sacrifice bunt moved Morrison to third. Pinch-hitter Michael Saunders was intentionally walked, and Salas struck out Taylor and Jackson to snuff out the threat. IN THE FIELD: The Mariners put two on with one out in the sixth when Taylor singled and Ackley was hit by a pitch. But Angels shortstop Erick Aybar made a nice sliding, backhand stop of Robinson Cano's sharp one-hopper and threw to second for a forceout, and Wilson got Kendrys Morales to fly to left, as the Angels preserved a 1-0 lead. Aybar and Kendrick teamed up to turn double plays in the second and third innings.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Cory Rasmus (3-1, 2.38 ERA) will oppose Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez (14-6, 2.34 ERA) at Safeco Field today at 1 p.m. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 830. Mike DiGiovanna Catcher Tim Federowicz lounged on a black vinyl sofa, watching a baseball game on TV, while a few feet away pitchers Hy-un-Jin Ryu and Josh Beckett and infielders Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe gathered around a table for a loud game of dominoes. A moment later, wide-eyed players with the Jackie Robinson West Little League team, which won the U.S.

championship last month, came snaking through the room behind outfielder Carl Crawford. With the division title won, batting practice canceled and the night's game with the Colorado Rockies basically meaningless, the Dodgers clubhouse was an unusually relaxed place Saturday. "It's definitely a reward," reliever J.P Howell said. "The games still count and all that. But at the same time, it's fun to play a little stress-free.

It does make a difference. "You can do some things you wouldn't be able to do. You can lift a little heavier now. You can throw a little extra. It's a huge advantage." One that grew a little bit bigger Saturday when the Dodgers were able to pull Dee Gordon and Ramirez from a 6-5 victory in 12 innings over the Rockies for precautionary reasons.

Gordon came out in the second inning after experiencing right hip irritation. Gordon left a game in June because of pain in the same area. Ramirez, who wasn't going to play a full game anyway, left in the fourth inning after fouling a ball off his left knee. Ramirez finished the at-bat by drawing a walk, then left for pinch-runner Miguel Roj as. Gordon had an MRI exam done but the results were not known.

Ramirez was said to be OK, but neither will play Sunday. Last year, the Dodgers settled the division race with nine games left, a little too early for Manager Don Mattingly's liking. This season, they did it with a much more manageable four days left in the regular season, long enough to give weary and sore regulars a rest but not long enough to worry about anyone losing his edge. "A couple of days is fine, where you can kind of give a guy a day off, said Mattingly, who held Ramirez out of Friday's game and gave Uribe and Crawford the day off Saturday. "If you're not ready now you're not going to be ready.

Ten swings in BP or 50 more swings in BP is not going to change anything at this point." The break also gives Mattingly time to set his pitching for a National League division series, which begins Friday with the Dodgers playing host to the St. Louis Cardinals or Pittsburgh Pirates. Clayton Kershaw, who will start the opener, is scheduled to prepare with a brief simulated game Sunday. Game 2 starter Zack Greinke will pitch in the regular-season finale against the Rockies but will have a short leash similar to the one Dan Haren had Saturday, when he was pulled after five innings and 78 pitches. But the chance to relax and reenergize before the playoffs may be more important mentally than physically.

lyke 12th sineled with one out in the inning and scored the winning run, rounding the bases on a hit by pitch, a stolen base and a wild pitch. AT THE PLATE: Van Slyke had two hits, scored twice, stole two bases and drove in a run. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp each scored a run and drove in one, as did Adrian Gonzalez, whose 26th home run upped his major league-leading RBI total to 113. ON THE MOUND: The game was essentially a tuneup for Dan Haren, who threw 78 pitches in five innings. Haren is expected to start Game 3 or 4 of a National League division series next week, depending on the availability of Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Carlos Frias, on the bubble for a postseason roster spot, improved his chances with three hitless innings, earning his first big league victory. He struck out five after Paco Rodriguez gave up a score-tying home run in the ninth. reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who has pitched for 10 teams in 20 seasons, got the final out of the eighth and became the 16th man to pitch in 1,000 major league games. EXTRA BASES: Manager Don Mattingly continues to be encouraged with the progress made by Ryu, whose availability for the playoffs is on hold because of shoulder inflammation. Ryu, who hasn't pitched in a game in more than two weeks, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, when Game 1 starter Clayton Kershaw is expected to pitch in a brief simulated game.

UP NEXT: Mattingly said right-hander Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.74 ERA) will be limited to "four orfive innings" in his final regular-season start Sunday at 1 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. He'll face the Rockies and right-hander Christian Bergman (3-4. 5.29), On the air: SportsNet LA, KDOC Radio: 570, 1020. Kevin Baxter and Bill Shaikin "There's no pressure for us right now," said Scott Van Slyke, who scored the winning run Saturday on a wild pitch.

"We're just kind of getting ready to go from here on out. I think everybody's excited for the postseason. "It's a really long season. And to be best in your division is a good feeling." Howell, who sauntered into the clubhouse laterthan usual, agreed. "This is what it's all about," he said, speaking of the division title and the break that came with it.

"All year long we waited for this. Howell, who willbe appearing in his seventh postseason series, said the Dodgers will have no trouble flipping the switch come Friday. "It's free adrenaline," he said. "It's tough right now to play a little bit because the adrenaline is a little down. And that emotional roller coaster we were just on, winning and clinching.

"Definitely we'll be able to turn it on. If you can't turn it on for a playoff, there's something wrong with you." kevin.baxterlatimes.com Twitter: kbaxterll to victories. Ethier has thought about his chances of being that sort of postseason hero even as he has admittedly fought the anger that comes with losingyourjob, ator-ment that was eased some in daily phone calls with his father. "I would tell him, 'Live it, breathe it, accept it, come to the ballpark every day with a smile on your Byron Ethier said. "Remember the magical moments.

Build off the positives. Be a leader. Enjoy the ride. You're still one in 6 million." At this point, Ethier will be happy just being the one in the ninth, the one with the game on the line, the one who already has a playoff prediction for those fans who have never lost faith. "I'm going to come up with a big hit," he said smiling.

"Seriously, that's how I feel right now. I know I'll come up with a big hit." bill.plaschkelatimes.com Twitter: billplaschke KEY MOMENT: Scott Van he rebounds from it. There are some things I think we can find out in some workouts." The prognosis for Shoemaker looked better after he extended his long-toss program to 200 to 250 feet Saturday, the final step before the right-hander throws off a mound. "The way it's going, I'm very optimistic about pitching in the playoffs," Shoemaker said. "The tightness or soreness is still there, but it's just about gone.

I barely feel it. Each day, it's gotten better." Barring setback, Shoemaker expects to throw off a mound Sunday or Monday. Jered Weaver will start Game 1 of the division series. C.J. Wilson, who looked sharp in a six-inning, one-run, four-hit effort Saturday night, is lined up to start Game 2, so Shoemaker probably wouldn't pitch until Game 3 next Sunday.

Asked whether the tightness and pain he is feeling now is something he can pitch through, Shoemaker, who went 16-4 with a 3.04 earned-run average this season, said, "Oh, sure." mike.digiovannalatimes.com Twitter: MikeDiGiovanna Hamilton said Wednesday that he had "no doubt" he would be ready for Thursday's playoff opener, even though he has sat out all but one game since Sept. 5. Manager Mike Scioscia, however, has plenty of doubt. Asked Saturday whether he is as confident as Hamilton is about playing, Scioscia said, rather bluntly, "No." "We talked with Josh, and he knows what he needs to do and what we need to see for him to be ready," Scioscia said. "We're hopeful, but he has to show us some things." Hamilton threw Friday and ran and took dry swings Saturday, but continued discomfort in his chest prevented him from taking batting practice for a fourth straight day.

The team's evaluation of Hamilton probably will run to Thursday morning, when it has to submit its division series roster. Hamilton hopes to hit off live pitching next week. "He needs to be able to run pain-free, to throw pain-free, and to do it proficiently," Scioscia said. "I think we're seeing that. We want to see the nice free swing that is not restricted, and you want to see how recovering from injury.

By Mike DiGiovanna SEATTLE An emotional roller coaster of a ride through the late innings Saturday night came to sudden stop with the Seattle Mariners in a place few thought they'd be three days ago: in position to make the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. Seattle kept its postseason hopes alive with a 2-1 walk-off win over the Angels at Safeco Field, Austin Jackson driving in the winning run by beating out a fielder's-choice grounder in the bottom of the 11th inning. Brad Miller sparked the winning rally with a one-out double to right off reliever Mike Morin, and he took third on Chris Taylor's bloop single to center. Vinnie Pestano replaced Morin, and with the infield in and the Angels employing a five-man infield, Jackson hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Grant Green, who looked home before flipping the ball to second. But Gordon Beckham's relay to first was too late to catch the speedy Jackson, as Miller scored the winning run just two innings after the Mariners had loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth inning and failed to score.

Seattle was three games behind Oakland in the wild-card race Thursday night, but the Athletics lost to Texas on Friday and Saturday, and the Mariners beat the Angels twice to gain two games. The Mariners will send ace Felix Hernandez to the mound Sunday. A win over the Angels, combined with another Oakland loss to Texas, would force a tie and a one-game playoff Monday in Seattle between the Mariners and As for the second wild-card spot. The Angels, of course, have already secured a spot in the division series, leaving them to focus on two of their most pressing playoff issues: the health of pitcher Matt Shoemaker and left fielder Josh Hamilton. While Shoemaker took what he called a "big step" in his recovery from a left rib -cage strain Saturday, Hamilton continued to spin his wheels in his recovery from right rib-cage and chest injuries that could sideline him for the division series.

Ethier is Plaschke, from CI What happens next is not so much a prolonged cheer as a giant embrace, loud and lingering, the biggest nightly roar for someone not named Kershaw or Puig, many folks even standing, everyone cherishing. The most difficult time of his career has also become the most inspirational, and Ethier hears every one of you. "I would be lying if I said I didn't get goose bumps," Ethier said. "I'll never stop giving to these fans, ever." Those cheers are not only appreciation for how he has played for the last nine years, but admiration for the way he will handle the next three minutes. That's usually all that Ethier can give these days.

After spending nearly a decade in the warm cocoon of the Dodgers' lineup card, he has become the guy left awkwardly standing alone in this year's game of musical outfielders, the fourth guy in known "It's it's one the A he Don Yasiel center ahead Carl learned with four these in a sleepless figure said. But only over of his attack water keep handling backup duties with class a party of three, relegated to the strange place as the bench and the suffocating role known as pinch-hitting. been my most humbling season," he said. "But where I've learned most." couple of months ago, learned that Manager Mattingly preferred Puig over him in field, Matt Kemp of him in right and Crawford as the left-handed hitter in left. He that, at age 32 and a .247 average and only home runs as a starter, could be his last days Dodgers uniform.

"I've definitely had some nights trying to things out," Ethier he has learned to not take it, but to triumph it. After spending much career famously fighting frustration with an on a bat rack or cooler, he learned to his mouth shut, his bat warm and his priorities straight. Unlike other Dodgers outfielders who publicly complained before the positions were finalized, Ethier has never been so openly positive and smiling and accommodating as he has helped push the Dodgers into October. He has learned when it seems your team needs you the least, maybe that's when it needs you the most. "Your pride wants to fight it, but you learn to check it and realize that's not what's best for my teammates, that's not the best example for anyone who's paying attention," he said.

"I could act mad, but I don't want to affect my teammates or the fans with that kind of energy. We're so close to our ultimate goal, I will not get in the way of that goal. I'll do whatever it takes to bring home that trophy." So while his presence may have shrunk considerably, his aura has grown only larger. Ethier is big in the clubhouse for maintaining a work ethic that brings him to the ballpark so early that he has often completed a full workout as other players are arriving. Ethier is big among fans for still showing up for pregame autographs and photos, signing more balls and shaking more hands than ever.

Ethier is also large in the eyes of the manager who benched him. "He's been a great teammate," Mattingly said. "He's not happy with the situation but he's going to be professional about it. That makes it easier for everybody." Oh yeah, and the dude can seriously pinch-hit, with a .290 average and .450 on-base percentage in 40 plate appearances. Everyone knows how much he loves the pressure, particularly in 2009, whenhe had six walk-off hits, including four walk-off home runs that tied a major league record.

Ethier has played in more postseason games as a Dodger than anyone on the roster, and he might play a more important role now that he's on the bench. "One of the criticisms of our playoff teams recently is that we haven't had a late-inning power guy off the bench," General Manager Ned Colletti said. "Well, now we've got a guy who can change a game." The biggest Dodgers postseason hit in the last 26 years came from a late-inning pinch-hitter, remember? Yeah, that was injured Kirk Gibson's role in the ninth inning of the 1988 World Series opener. Since then, the Dodgers have missed that late-inning postseason magic, with only one walk-off postseason hit since 1988, pinch-hitter Mark Loretta's single to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the Game 2 of a 2 009 division series.

Last season, they did not have a pinch-hit in the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals, who had two pinch-hits that led.