The Dodgers’ Chase Utley scores a run on a wild pitch by Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, right, during the ninth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. The Dodgers rallied to win 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ David Freese connects for a run-scoring single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor (3) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Manny Machado (8) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) gets a visit from catcher John Ryan Murphy, left, and shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (53) scoops up a low throw to get out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner (10) at first during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting an RBI triple during the first inning as Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Escobar (14) celebrates his run scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers with David Peralta, left, and manager Torey Lovullo (17) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, walks around the mound after giving up a home run to Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, right, during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte points to the crowd as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez pauses at home plate after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ David Freese (25) celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Enrique Hernandez (14) during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker, right, gets off balance while striking out as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, reaches over to tag Walker during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: David Freese #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tosses his bat after striking out during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a diving catch during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gestures to his dugout while standing on second base during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Tim Locastro #70 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores on a single by teammate Max Muncy #13 during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Tim Locastro (70) slides across home plate to score a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks talks with Nick Ahmed #13, John Ryan Murphy #36 and teammates on the mound during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after scoring on a fielders choice by teammate Manny Machado #8 during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the top step of the dugout during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers an eighth inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Dodgers won 7-4. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Head athletic trainer Ryan DiPanfilo and third base coach Tony Perezchica #8 of the Arizona Diamondbacks tend to Christian Walker #52 after being hit in the face by a pitch by Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda reacts after hitting the Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker in the face with a pitch during the eighth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. The Dodgers won 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Joc Pederson #31 the Los Angeles Dodgers is held back by teammate Austin Barnes #15 while arguing with home plate umpire Joe West #22 after being called out on strikes during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Pederson was ejected and the Dodgers won 7-4. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) argues with umpire Joe West, left, after Pederson was thrown out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Dodgers’ Chase Utley scores a run on a wild pitch by Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, right, during the ninth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Dodgers left fielder Alex Verdugo jumps in vain for home run hit by the Diamondbacks’ A.J. Pollock during the ninth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, right, and catcher Austin Barnes celebrate after the final out of a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night in Phoenix. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Put the pool noodles and floaties away for the winter. The pool is closed.
The slim chance of the Dodgers clinching a sixth consecutive division title at Chase Field – site of clinching parties in 2013 and after the National League Division Series last year – dissolved Monday night despite the Dodgers’ 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Colorado Rockies also won Monday so the Dodgers’ lead in the NL West remains 1½ games with six days left in the regular season.
The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the division title did drop to five, but the earliest they can clinch now is Thursday (an off day for the Dodgers but not the Rockies). The Atlanta Braves were off Monday and now lead the Dodgers by only a half-game for home-field advantage in a potential best-of-five NLDS matchup.
“We can’t approach a day looking for help,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think we put ourselves in a situation where we’re in the driver’s seat. There’s going to be some scoreboard-watching. That’s only natural. But it’s upon us to kind of take care of our own business.”
They have done that in September by using a deep roster to grind down the opposition. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo saw it Monday as the Dodgers scored five runs in the final three innings.
“It’s like their engine gets started, and as soon it as gets started they have a lot of resources,” Lovullo said. “They turn their lineup over a couple of times, get good matchups with good players ready to perform. They’re chasing something, so they are an energized team. It was a tough couple of innings, the last couple of innings.”
But it might have started with a fly out to left in the fifth inning.
Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray needed 11 pitches to get Justin Turner out that way. Three pitches later, August acquisition David Freese tied the score 2-2 with a solo home run.
“I’ve had the opportunity to hit behind some professional hitters and J.T. is right there with the best of them,” Freese said. “He’s definitely a guy you can learn from.”
Used off the bench and against left-handed pitching, Freese is batting .344 (11 for 32) with eight RBIs since joining the Dodgers from the Pirates.
“I really like the at-bat quality and he’s had some big hits for us,” Roberts said. “In the clubhouse, he’s a leader, doing things the right way. Guys tend to follow him and gravitate toward him. When we’re talking about approach and having a plan as a team, he’s all in.”
Ketel Marte was the key to whatever plan the Diamondbacks had against Clayton Kershaw. Marte was 3 for 3 against Kershaw with a triple and a home run and three RBIs.
Marte’s flared single gave the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead in the sixth. But Ray was already at 100 pitches and Lovullo went to his bullpen.
“You see how the game was going. You’re in the fifth inning and I know they wanted to get him through six with the lead,” Roberts said. “J.T.’s at-bat, 11 pitches, you could see he was gassed. … The gas was out of the tank for him right there. J.T.’s at-bat was big.”
The Dodgers were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position against Ray. But things changed in the seventh.
A walk to Yasmani Grandal and a single up the middle by Yasiel Puig, pinch-hitting for Kershaw – against a left-handed reliever (Andrew Chafin) no less – started the go-ahead rally. Brad Ziegler came in to face Max Muncy, who sent one of his sidearm sinkers into left field for an RBI single to tie the score. Two batters later, the bases were loaded with one out for Machado. He drove in the tie-breaking run with a groundout.
In the ninth, a grab bag of two run-scoring wild pitches, a walk, a single and an RBI double by Machado put the game away.
“To get Ray out of there after five I thought was a win for our offense,” Roberts said. “To get to their bullpen and kind of play the matchup game – you look at the at-bats we had from guys coming off the bench, that was the difference in the game.”
The Dodgers made the lead stand up with a relief relay from Caleb Ferguson to Scott Alexander to Kenta Maeda to Kenley Jansen.
They didn’t do it smoothly.
In the eighth, a fastball that Maeda lost up and in hit Christian Walker in the face guard he wears on his helmet and glanced off his face. Walker left the game, holding a towel to his bleeding face.
And in the ninth, Jansen served up a home run to A.J. Pollock before closing it out.
“They’re not making it easy. That’s a good ballclub over there,” Kershaw said of the second-place Rockies. “Control what we can control and all that cliche stuff.”
