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Dodgers beat Giants 4-2 to clinch 5th straight NL West title

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth straight 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.

Los Angeles tied for the third-longest streak of division titles behind Atlanta's 14 from 1991-2005 and the New York Yankees' nine from 1998-2006.

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. Pablo Sandoval homered leading off the ninth against Kenley Jansen, who struck out the next three batters for his 40th save in 41 chances.

Samardzija gave up five hits in 4 1/3 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.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: Manager Bruce Bochy said OF Austin Slater is dealing with a sore right hip flexor. He could be out for a couple days.

Dodgers: RHP Josh Ravin was placed on the 60-day DL with sore hip and groin, and RHP Brandon McCarthy (knee tendinitis was activated. Manager Dave Roberts said McCarthy will be given a chance to earn a postseason reliever's role. ... 3B Justin Turner did not start because of a sore right thumb hit by a pitch Thursday and because he was dealing with a virus.

UP NEXT

Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner (3-9, 3.48 ERA) will seek stop his four-game losing streak. The Giants haven't won a Bumgarner start since Aug. 15 in Miami.

Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (5-7 3.46) will continue to make his bid as the team's No.4 starter for the postseason. Ryu has been particularly strong at home of late, going 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA in his last 11 starts.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger, center, is congratulated by Chris Taylor, left, after hitting a three-run home run as San Francisco Giants catcher Nick Hundley stands at the plate during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after they defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2 and won the NL West title, after a baseball game Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, right, and catcher Yasmani Grandal celebrate after the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2 in a baseball game and won the NL West title, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after they defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2 in a baseball game and won the NL West title Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger, right, rounds third after hitting a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, left, during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
Los Angeles Dodgers' Curtis Granderson winces after being hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence makes a catch on a ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press
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