The Padres are already refocusing after missing out on the division title

LOS ANGELES — As their opponents basked in the glow of another division title on the field in front of them, several Padres lingered by the railing of the visitors' bench at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, staring at the celebration they had hoped would be theirs. The crowd included veteran third baseman Manny Machado and rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill, two players who were instrumental in redefining expectations in San Diego.

Afterward, in a clubhouse where another celebration had recently taken place, both insisted they had already moved on.

“We’re over it,” Merrill said. “We still have three games that are really, really important. So we’re over the breakup now.”

“There is no disappointment,” Machado said. “We are having a great season. We’re in the postseason.”

The Padres are – or soon will be. On Tuesday, they raged in the same room after securing a playoff spot with an unforgettable defensive performance. Still, there was no denying that they had their sights set on a bigger return in October. Back-to-back defeats over the last two nights, including Thursday's 7-2 loss, ensured it wasn't going to come to that.

The Dodgers are National League West champions for the 11th time in 12 years. The Padres will have to wait at least another season to end a drought that began in 2006.

The Dodgers celebrate victory in the NL West. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

“Very disappointed,” manager Mike Shildt said. “That is the goal we have set for ourselves. Obviously we performed well. … But we carry on.”

By the time Shildt spoke late Thursday, the Padres had begun to shift their attention. A short flight to Phoenix awaited us. The Padres will play three games there at Chase Field. A single win would be enough to secure home-field advantage in the National League Wild Card Series, a matchup that could pit them against the Arizona Diamondbacks again.

A Diamondbacks win would mean there is no guarantee that postseason baseball will return to Petco Park this season.

“I think everyone is a little upset that we didn't have a chance with the division going to Arizona,” right-hander Joe Musgrove said. “But these are very important games coming up. … These are very important games that need to be won. So I think mentally everyone is in a good place knowing we can put this behind us and just focus on finishing strong.”

The Padres need to at least focus on playing better than they did in the three games at Dodger Stadium. They came to Chavez Ravine having already won the season series against Los Angeles for the first time since 2010. They split the first two games to maintain a slim chance of winning the division.

For most of Thursday night, the Padres felt encouraged. They scored the game's first run in the fifth and another in the sixth. Musgrove entered the seventh with a low number of pitches and a 2-0 lead.

Then everything dissolved. Musgrove issued a leadoff walk. Dodgers catcher Will Smith hit a game-winning home run as the building exploded. Shildt turned to his bullpen, which gave up three more runs before the inning finally ended. The Dodgers added two more runs in the eighth before center Yuki Matsui, making his first pitch in 19 days, finally stopped the rush.

And this time there was no known comeback magic. The Padres finished the series a combined 3-for-25 with runners in scoring position.

“I thought the approaches were good,” said Sheldt. “They have some pretty good pitching there. And congratulations to her. We have to take our hats off to winning the division. … But I’ll take our guys against anyone in that situation. You know, we can't perform every night. I’m really confident that we’ll be on the bright side going forward.”

The Padres can afford to spend the next three days focusing somewhat on Tuesday's postseason opener, regardless of which team they face then. Yu Darvish was announced as the starting pitcher for Friday. The team did not announce who it plans (or hopes) to pitch on Saturday or Sunday. Perhaps Matsui will end up in relief again as Shildt looks to rest several deeply indebted staff members who have shouldered a significant workload in recent weeks.

But first the Padres have to try to win at least one game. That remaining goal helped ease the disappointment that still prevailed among the visitors at Dodger Stadium.

“Dude, I mean, it’s been a heck of a year,” Machado said. “Look what we did. Like I said (Tuesday night), a lot of people counted us out. A lot of people didn't think we would be where we are now. I didn't think we would play baseball the way we did this year. So, you know, we're in the bonus. We're in the bonus. So keep doing it, keep enjoying it. We still have three games left and after that it's time to get started. We’re going to continue to play baseball like we’ve played all year.”

Shortly after Machado spoke, Merrill returned to his locker to find a costume lying on his chair. Nearby, teammates Alek Jacob and Brandon Lockridge had already donned Franciscan monk outfits – this year's selection for the annual ritual known as rookie dressing. It all looked a bit silly, although that was the point. Merrill admitted that he was grateful that he didn't have to spend too much time looking silly; The flight from Los Angeles to Phoenix is ​​relatively short.

Nevertheless, there was a hint of disappointment.

“It’s nicer,” Merrill said, “when you have to dress up after a win.”

(Top photo of Manny Machado: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)