Shohei Ohtani heads to first postseason after LA Dodgers clinched NL West title | Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani is heading to the postseason for the first time in his career after the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West on Thursday night by scoring five runs in the seventh inning in a 7-2 win over the second-place San Diego Padres.

The Japanese superstar spent his first six MLB seasons in Anaheim, where the Los Angeles Angels never had a winning record or played in October. He signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason.

However, he made a rookie mistake. Ohtani didn't wear goggles like most of his teammates during the alcohol-soaked clubhouse celebration. He blinked heavily several times and his eyes appeared red as he spoke to media outside the vibrant party.

“It stung my eyes a little bit,” he said, smiling. “It was a great feeling and I hope I can continue drinking more champagne.”

Ohtani went 3 for 5, drove in a go-ahead shot and scored another.

“Today I came to the stadium with the absolute desire to achieve victory and I am glad that we managed to do that,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

Ohtani's blue T-shirt was soaked and his dark hair was damp. Cigar smoke billowed from the clubhouse.

“Shohei was showered with champagne. He’s going to smell like a brewery next week,” said manager Dave Roberts. “That’s what Shohei signed up for, that’s what he wanted to be a part of. Shohei has been nothing short of remarkable all season.”

Ohtani recently became the first player in Major League history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season. On Thursday, he reached 400 total bases, becoming the first player to do so since 2001.

The Dodgers hadn't won at home since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when cardboard cutouts replaced fans in the stands. The last time fans attended a crucial home game was in 2018.

“It's total chaos, which is exactly how it should be, and it never gets boring,” general manager Brandon Gomes said.

A sellout crowd of 52,433, including former Dodgers star Manny Ramirez, filled Dodger Stadium for the finale of the decisive series. They earned their 41st comeback win of the season, topping the National League.

“These guys just fought a lot,” said catcher Will Smith, who along with his teammates donned “We Own the West” T-shirts.

The Dodgers took two of three games from the Padres and traveled to Colorado to play three games at the end of the regular season.

Their 11th league title in 12 seasons earned them a first-round bye in the postseason. That gives All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman time to recover from a right ankle injury he suffered late in the game. After the game, he was on crutches and in walking boots.

The Dodgers improved to 95-64 and will open the playoffs at home on Oct. 5 in a best-of-five division series.

Smith hit a tying two-run home run off Joe Musgrove to open the Dodgers' opener. Musgrove had held them scoreless for six innings as the Padres took a 2-0 lead.

“It got everyone going,” said Smith, who hit 20 homers in a season for the third time in his career.

Musgrove gave up a leadoff walk to Max Muncy. Smith followed with a 426-foot shot up the middle, tying the game at 2-2. It was the Dodgers' first home run of the three-game series.

Pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández singled and took second when Andy Pages reached after catcher interference from Kyle Higashioka. Ohtani singled and Hernández scored on an error, while Ohtani was safe at second on a throwing error by Fernando Tatis Jr.

Pages and Ohtani scored on a single from Mookie Betts to make it 5-2.

Pages added a two-run, two-strike, two-out home run in the eighth.

The rally against the Padres was dampened by Freeman's departure after he awkwardly collided with first baseman Luis Arraez, who was trying to avoid being tagged for the second of seven games. Freeman grabbed his lower right leg before limping off the field.