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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Dodgers sweep Nats

LOS ANGELES — The Washington Nationals came to town with the lowest team ERA in the majors and got a chance to unveil two of their best offensive prospects. The Los Angeles Dodgers outpitched manager Davey Johnson's staff and got a number of key hits along the way for a three-game sweep.

I got it: Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper reaches for a fly ball on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Nationals loss to the Dodgers 2-0. AP

Chris Capuano struck out nine while combining with two relievers on a four-hitter, James Loney drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single and the Dodgers wound up with a 2-0 win Sunday.

At 16-6, the Dodgers matched their best start since 1981 and moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since July 11, 2010.

"We've got a great mix of guys, and we're going to need that through the long season to win games," Loney said. "A big hit, a big defensive play, and big baserunning play — all that stuff is going to matter. And it's going to take all of us to do that."

Capuano (3-0) allowed three hits and two walks in 6? innings, helping send the Nationals to their fourth straight loss and first shutout defeat of the season after they entered the series with a 14-5 record. They had a combined total of three runs and 11 hits in 21? innings against Capuano, Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley.

"They pitched us pretty tough and kept the ball in on us the whole series, and we didn't really make a lot of adjustments," Johnson said. "But they've got a pretty good pitching staff over there. We pitched good enough to win, but it just wasn't good enough."

Cubs 5, Phillies 1

In Philadelphia, Matt Garza pitched one-hit ball for seven shutout innings and struck out 10 batters as Chicago beat the Phillies.

Brewers 3, Cardinals 2

In St. Louis, Zack Greinke worked six strong innings and Jonathan Lucroy's two-run double capped a three-run sixth.

Norichika Aoki pinch-hit for Grienke in the seventh and recorded a hit.

Braves 4, Pirates 3

In Atlanta, Tim Hudson labored through five tough innings to win in his return from back surgery, and the Braves held on in the ninth to beat Pittsburgh.

Diamondbacks 8, Marlins 4

In Miami, Wade Miley held the Marlins hitless until the sixth inning and Jason Kubel drove in three runs for Arizona.

Mets 6, Rockies 5 (11)

In Denver, Ike Davis singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning for the Mets.

Giants 4, Padres 1

In San Francisco, Pablo Sandoval homered to back Madison Bumgarner's fourth straight win.

Reds 6, Astros 5

In Cincinnati, Jay Bruce's fourth home run in four games, a tiebreaking shot in the eighth inning, lifted the Reds to a comeback win over Houston.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 6, Tigers 2

In New York, CC Sabathia steadied his team's rocky rotation with eight sharp innings and Alex Rodriguez passed Willie Mays for eighth on the career RBIs list.

Rays 5, Rangers 2

In Arlington, Texas, David Price beat the Rangers for the first time in 10 career starts.

Indians 4, Angels 0

In Cleveland, Derek Lowe pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning and the Indians scored three runs on Angels errors.

White Sox 4, Red Sox 1

In Chicago, Gavin Floyd carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer.

Kosuke Fukudome was 1-for-3 with a walk for the White Sox.

Orioles 5, Athletics 2

In Baltimore, Wilson Betemit hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning after Matt Wieters doubled in two runs, giving the Orioles an unlikely victory.

Twins 7, Royals 4

In Minneapolis, Josh Willingham had three hits and the Twins snapped a six-game losing streak.

Blue Jays 7, Mariners 2

In Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion hit his third home run in three games for the Blue Jays, and Jeff Mathis added a two-run shot.

Seattle's Munenori Kawasaki was 1-for-3 and Ichiro Suzuki finished 0-for-4.

OAKLAND, California — A person with knowledge of the negotiations says third baseman Brandon Inge has agreed to sign with the Oakland Athletics.

The deal is pending a physical and final paperwork, the person said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because nothing had been finalized and the A's were yet to make a formal announcement.

Inge was released by the Tigers on Thursday after batting .100 (2 for 20) with one home run and two RBIs this season.

He fills a huge void at third, where the A's lost projected starter Scott Sizemore to a season-ending knee injury.

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Dodgers reorganize after bankruptcy

Dover Delaware — The Los Angeles Dodgers have filed a bankruptcy reorganization plan, a week after resolving a court fight with Fox Sports that threatened plans to sell the club.

The Dodgers filed their plan Friday in bankruptcy court in Delaware, saying the sale of the team should satisfy all creditor claims in full, either through cash payments or assumption of the claims by the new owners.

The Dodgers are asking for a Feb. 22 court hearing for court approval of the statement outlining the reorganization plan and the process for creditors to vote on it.

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MLB assumes control of disjointed Dodgers

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is taking the extraordinary step of assuming control of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team increasingly paralyzed by its owners' bitter divorce.

Once among baseball's glamour franchises, the Dodgers have been consumed by infighting since Jamie McCourt filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage in October 2009, one week after her husband fired her as the team's chief executive. Frank McCourt accused Jamie of having an affair with her bodyguard-driver and performing poorly at work.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig told Frank McCourt on Wednesday he will appoint a MLB representative to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the club.

At the same time, Frank McCourt was preparing to sue MLB, a baseball executive familiar with the situation said, speaking on condition of anonymity because McCourt had not made any statements.

"I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club," Selig said in a statement.

Seven hours after Selig made his announcement, Frank McCourt issued a statement expressing puzzlement.

"Major League Baseball sets strict financial guidelines, which all 30 teams must follow," McCourt said. "The Dodgers are in compliance with these guidelines. On this basis, it is hard to understand the commissioner's action today."

A person familiar with Selig's thinking said the commissioner may choose to force a sale. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because Selig's statement did not mention that.

"I consider it a sad day for baseball and a sad day for the Dodgers," general manager Ned Colletti said.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly had his 50th birthday Wednesday. He said he saw the news on television and then Colletti talked to the team.

"It's hard to imagine it would happen somewhere like the Dodgers, but there's crazy stuff going on everywhere. You're seeing monster major banks going down, so obviously it can happen," Mattingly said before the game against Atlanta at Dodger Stadium.

Baseball officials could not recall another instance in modern times when the commissioner seized control of a team from its owner. Before Tom Hicks sold the Texas Rangers last year, Selig appointed John McHale to monitor the Rangers but technically left Hicks in charge of the franchise while McHale worked behind the scenes..

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