Dodgers clinch N.L. West

PHOENIX – The Los Angeles Dodgers soaked everyone in sight with champagne in the clubhouse. Many players raced back out for a celebratory dip in Arizona’s Chase Field swimming pool.

From last place to an N.L. West title in less than three months, they sure let loose.

Burdened by high expectations and a horrible start, the Dodgers relieved their pent-up pressure with a joyful celebration after becoming the first team this year to clinch a playoff spot. Hanley Ramirez homered twice as they rallied to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6 on Thursday.

“I want to keep going,” Ramirez said. “I think that we’ve got a couple of more steps to do. We’ve got to keep working and stay together all the way through to the end.”

Ramirez was back in the lineup after being sidelined five of six games with an irritated nerve in his lower back. He’s played 1,090 regular-season games but will be making his first trip to the postseason. Only three active players have played more games without making the playoffs.

Despite an N.L.-high payroll of $214 million-plus on opening day, the Dodgers got off to an 30-42 start and were last in the division, 91/2 games behind the first-place Diamondbacks, before play on June 22. Los Angeles has gone 58-23 since, including an unreal 42-8 run.

Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 6

E – H.Ramirez (13), G.Parra (5). LOB – L.A. 7, Arizona 8. 2B – Uribe (19), Van Slyke (8), A.Ellis (16), Goldschmidt (33), G.Parra (38), Miley (3). 3B – Prado (2). HR – H.Ramirez 2 (20), A.Ellis (8). RBIs – H.Ramirez 4 (57), Van Slyke (19), A.Ellis (46), M.Young (46), Goldschmidt (119), Prado 2 (78), M.Montero (42), Miley 2 (8). S – M.Ellis. SF – M.Young. RLISP – L.A. 3, Arizona 4. RMU – Puig, Goldschmidt. GIDP – Puig, Kemp. DP – Arizona 2.

IR-S – Roe 2-1, Collmenter 1-0, D.Hernandez 1-0. HBP–Goldschmidt, Prado. WP – League, Howell. T – 3:10. A – 22,763 (48,633).