Giants lose to Dodgers, watch LA celebrate division title

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth consecutive NL West title, beating the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Friday night as Cody Bellinger set an NL rookie record with his 39th home run.

Los Angeles will open the NL Division Series at home on Oct. 6. The Dodgers are seeking to reach the World Series for the first time since 1988 under manager Tommy Lasorda, who was on hand at Dodger Stadium to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Bellinger hit a three-run homer in the third off Jeff Samardzija (9-15), topping the NL rookie mark set by Wally Berger in 1930 and matched by Frank Robinson in 1956.

After a record run that saw the Dodgers push their record to 91-36, they had gone just 6-20 - including a dismal 1-16 stretch - to make clinching their division more laborious than anticipated. Los Angeles stopped a nine-game home losing streak.

Rich Hill (11-8) allowed one run and five hits in six innings with ninth strikeouts. Pedro Sandoval homered leading off the ninth against Kenley Jansen, who struck out the next three batters for his 40th save in 41 chances.

Samardzija (9-15) gave up five hits in 4? innings and surrendered all four runs in the third. At 60-94, the Giants matched their most losses since 1996.

San Francisco went ahead in the first when Gorkys Hernandez reached on a bunt single, stole second and scored on Buster Posey’s single.

Logan Forsythe doubled with one out in the third and scored on Hill’s first double in 10 years. Corey Seager walked and Bellinger homered.

LOOKING AHEAD

Cleveland lost 3-1 to the Seattle Mariners Friday, leaving the Dodgers two games up on the Indians for best overall record and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

NOTES

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said outfielder Austin Slater is dealing with a sore right hip flexor. He could be out for a couple days but with the season winding down the Giants will play it careful.

The Dodgers ended right-hander Josh Ravin’s season by placing him on the 60-day disabled list with sore hip and groin. To replace him, they activated right-hander Brandon McCarthy (knee tendinitis). Manager Dave Roberts said McCarthy would be given a chance to earn a postseason reliever’s role.

Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner, tonight’s scheduled starter, will try to end a personal four-game losing streak. The Giants haven’t won a Bumgarner start since Aug. 15 in Miami.

Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, Bumgarner’s opponent tonight, will continue to make his bid as the team’s No.4 starter for the postseason.