Bruce homers as Reds beat Dodgers to clinch division crown

CINCINNATI — General manager Walt Jocketty hit the "send" button on his cellphone right at the final out, informing his manager that the Reds' championship celebration was on.

And with a familiar swing getting them there.

Jay Bruce was Cincinnati's Mr. Clinch again, hitting the homer that started the Reds toward a 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday that made good on their second try for the title. The only thing missing was the manager.

Dusty Baker spent another day in a Chicago hospital getting treated for an irregular heartbeat. Jocketty texted congratulations to the 63-year-old Baker on his fifth division title as a manager, including two during the last three years with Cincinnati.

"He is here everywhere," owner Bob Castellini said, standing in the middle of a soaked clubhouse that had beer and champagne dripping from the ceiling. "He is here in spirit, and everybody knows he's here. We hope to see him tomorrow."

The players toasted Baker before drenching each other.

"It's a shame he's not here," third baseman Scott Rolen said. "He digs this stuff. He's missed, there's no doubt about that."

The Reds videotaped the celebration, along with best wishes, to send to Baker. When they clinched two years ago, Baker wound up in the middle of a players' huddle, getting joyously soaked.

The 2010 party started with a dramatic Bruce homer, a first-pitch leadoff shot in the ninth against Houston's Tim Byrdak. On Saturday, he led off the fourth inning with a first-pitch homer off rookie Stephen Fife (0-2), putting Cincinnati ahead to stay with his team-leading 34th of the season.

"It's not the same as two years ago, but I'll take it," Bruce said. "We've been taking care of business for quite a while, so we knew this was coming. Today is a nutshell of what we've been doing all season."

Mat Latos (13-4) allowed six hits and didn't walk a batter in eight innings. Left-hander Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance since Sept. 10 — a tired shoulder had sidelined him — and finished it off by getting Hanley Ramirez to hit into a double play off a 160 kph fastball.

Giants 8, Padres 4

In San Francisco, Madison Bumgarner pitched the Giants to their second NL West title in three years and newcomer Marco Scutaro had three hits and three RBIs.

The Giants captured their eighth divisional crown — wrapping it up once again with a victory over the Padres in front of their home fans, just as they did on the season's final day in 2010 on the way to an improbable World Series championship.

Braves 8, Phillies 2

In Philadelphia, Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer to back Mike Minor and the Braves roughed up Roy Halladay to move closer to clinching a postseason berth.

Cardinals 5, Cubs 4 (10)

In Chicago, Jon Jay's RBI double in the 10th inning lifted St. Louis to the victory, bolstering the Cardinals' bid for another playoff appearance.

Nationals 10, Brewers 4

In Washington, Gio Gonzalez became the majors' first 20-game winner in 2012, and the first pitcher for a Washington baseball team with 200 strikeouts since Walter Johnson in 1916.

Norichika Aoki was 1-for-3 for the Brewers.

Mets 4, Marlins 3

In New York, R.A. Dickey earned his 19th victory with a strong performance, Jason Bay and Scott Hairston homered and the Mets barely held on in the ninth inning for their second straight home win.

Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 7

In Denver, Aaron Hill tripled and drove in four runs for Arizona.

Astros 4, Pirates 1

In Houston, Jason Castro hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Astros handed the fading Pirates their fifth straight loss.

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