The Dodgers prevailed over the Mariners in the final regular season start of Clayton Kershaw's career
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers didn't have anything to play for in the regular season finale for both clubs on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Both teams had been locked into their playoff positions (Dodgers No. 3 seed in the National League; Mariners No. 2 seed in the American League). There was nothing at stake.
It was still a memorable day for many reasons. Los Angeles beat Seattle 6-1, and Cooperstown-bound starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw earned the win in the final regular season start of his storied career.
For the Mariners, it was the first time since 2001 where the regular season ended with home playoff baseball on the horizon.
"Capped off the regular season today. What a regular season it was," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame interview. "I thought the way our guys played and how hard they played all season long — what a great season. The accomplishments have been many, as we've talked about. Everything changes as of tomorrow. Everybody goes to 0-0 and we start from there."
As for Sunday's affair, the Dodgers were able to put up early run support for the future Hall of Fame hurler.
Los Angeles shortstop Hyseong Kim hit a two-run home run to right field in the top of the second to put the Dodgers in front 2-0.
Los Angeles' lead was bolstered to 4-0 in the top of the third after first baseman Freddie Freeman hit his own respective two-run homer.
Kershaw blanked the Mariners for the entirety of his outing. The three-time NL Cy Young winner fanned seven, walked one, threw a wild pitch and allowed four hits in 5.1 innings of work. After his last out in the top of the sixth, he walked off the mound to a chorus of applause from Seattle and Dodgers fans alike at T-Mobile Park.
"What do you say about the career that guy has had?" Wilson said. "He's quite a pitcher."
Sunday was the final start of the regular season for Bryce Miller. He fanned two, walked two and allowed four earned runs on five hits (two home runs) in four innings pitched.
Miller had two separate stints on the injured list this year due to right elbow inflammation, but started to hit his stride to close out the year and set a new career-high in strikeouts (11) Sept. 11. There's questions whether the Mariners will keep him in the rotation or move him to the bullpen for the playoffs, but the finally-healthy hurler is ready for whatever role the team has slated for him in the first postseason of his career.
"I've pitched out of the bullpen most of my college career," Miller said after the game. "I don't think I'll have any issue getting ready and being able to do that. I'll be ready however they want me to. Just getting the opportunity to pitch in the postseason will be fun. Just go out and help us win, that's all I can ask for."
Defending National League MVP Shohei Ohtani bolstered Los Angeles' lead to 5-0 in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to left-center field. It was his 55th homer of the season, which set a Dodgers franchise record for the most homers in a single season. Ohtani broke his own record, which he set last year.
Los Angeles center fielder Andy Pages hit an RBI single in the top of the eighth which increased his team's advantage to 6-0.
Seattle got on the board in the bottom of the eighth after left fielder Randy Arozarena scored on a groundout hit by third baseman Eugenio Suarez. That play resulted in the eventual final of 6-1.
The Mariners finished the season 90-72. They'll have a bye through the wild card round of the playoffs. During the break, the club will have scrimmages open to the public Oct. 1 and 2 and a workout Oct. 3.
"I don't think many of us have ever been in the bye situation before," Cal Raleigh said in a postgame interview. "For me, what I want to preach to the clubhouse is just 'stay ready. Stay strong.' I think in this situation, it's just trying to make every day as normal as possible. Stay in the same routine."
Seattle will host the winner of the wild card series between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series at a to-be-determined time Oct. 4 at T-Mobile Park.
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