Off Topic » first inning but scored only once, when T

LOS ANGELES -- Sprayed champagne and beer flooded the blue carpet in the Dodgers clubhouse. The stench of alcohol hung in the damp air. Wives, kids and a puppy were in on the party with music blaring.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated clinching their fourth straight NL West title with the kind of storybook ending this city was built on: winning the crown in Vin Scullys final home game when Charlie Culberson homered with two outs in the 10th inning to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3 Sunday.It hasnt really sunk in, said Culberson, who made the opening day roster only to flip-flop between the majors and minors during the season.Scully eluded the clubhouse chaos and throng of fans waiting outside the press box named for him, having quietly exited after broadcasting his last game at Dodger Stadium.The 88-year-old Hall of Famer, who has just three games at San Francisco next weekend before ending his 67-year career, bid a public farewell to the team and its 51,962 fans at games end.I was hoping the team would win the game 10-0 and there would be no tension, and it would be a nice easy day, Scully said, looking out at the sea of faces turned toward his booth. Believe me when I tell you, Ive needed you far more than youve needed me.At that, he asked the crowd to indulge what he called a loving gesture and listen to him singing Wind Beneath My Wings that he recorded for his wife, Sandi. As the song played, the couple stood with their arms around each other.A lot of history this weekend, ace Clayton Kershaw said.Under Dave Roberts, the Dodgers became the first NL West team to win four straight division titles, also a first in franchise history. Roberts joined Tom Lasorda (1977) as the only rookie managers to lead the club to a division title.It was a work in progress all year, said Roberts, his eyes burning from champagne. Were going to enjoy it.Culbersons first homer of the season and just sixth of his career landed in the lower left-field seats, touching off wild cheers and a raucous celebration at home plate. The Dodgers charged out of their dugout and surrounded Culberson, jumping up and down. They donned championship T-shirts and hats from carts wheeled on the field.I wanted to see how they did it because everybody on this team believes and thinks that were going to do that next year, Colorado starter Tyler Anderson said after his teams 83rd defeat.The Dodgers took off their caps, turned toward the broadcast booth and held them in a salute to Scully, nattily attired in his usual long-sleeved shirt and tie despite the 95-degree heat. He began with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and is the longest tenured broadcaster with a single team in professional sports.What a special day, third baseman Justin Turner said. Its an incredible feeling.Catcher Yasmani Grandal partied with his puppy, Taz, after the players jogged the warning track exchanging high-fives with fans.The Dodgers provided plenty of drama for Scully to describe.Yeah, Vin has a lot of pull, Colorado manager Walt Weiss said.Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth off Adam Ottavino, tying the game 3-all. It was the rookies 190th hit of the season to go with a single in the first and triple in the seventh.David Dahls two-out homer snapped a 2-all tie in the ninth off closer Kenley JansenSeagers triple rolled into the right-field corner, tying the game 2-all and chasing Rockies starter Tyler Anderson.Culberson contributed three hits, tying his career high, and is 7 for 14 in seven games this month.Its the way its been all year, different guys doing different things to win games, said Kershaw, his hair soaked and wife Ellen and young daughter Cali nearby.Joe Blanton (7-2) pitched the 10th to get the victory.Boone Logan (2-5) took the loss in relief.The Dodgers trailed 2-1 after Yasiel Puigs sacrifice fly in the third.Colorado took a 2-0 lead in the third on Dustin Garneaus RBI double in the right field corner and Charlie Blackmons sacrifice fly.Brandon McCarthy came off the disabled list (right hip stiffness) earlier in the day to make his first start for the Dodgers since Aug. 13. He replaced Rich Hill, who skipped his scheduled start for precautionary reasons because of a recurrence of blisters on the index finger of his left pitching hand.McCarthy gave up two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked one. He hasnt won since July 9 against San Diego.Anderson allowed two runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out one and walked two.Several Dodgers tipped their helmets or saluted toward Scully in his booth before stepping into the box for their first at-bats.Some of Scullys grandchildren popped into the booth between innings, sharing hugs and kisses before he put his headset back on. Fans chanted VIN! VIN! VIN! between innings when video tributes to him were aired. A sheepish Scully covered his face with his hands, having said earlier that all the attention was embarrassing.COUNTING DOWNScullys final three games will be next weekend at San Francisco. He wont do the three-game series in San Diego starting Tuesday, having long ago reduced his travel.REMEMBERING FERNANDEZThere was a moment of silence for Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez before the game. He was killed in a boating accident early Sunday in Miami. Fellow Cuban Yasiel Puig used pieces of white athletic tape to secure Fernandezs jersey to the wall of the Dodgers dugout. The flags in center field were lowered to half-staff.TURNSTILES CLICKINGThe announced attendance of 51,962 brought the Dodgers season total to 3,703,312, their fourth consecutive year leading the major leagues.UP NEXTRockies: Theyre off Monday before opening a three-game series at San Francisco. RHP German Marquez (1-0, 3.48 ERA) makes his first major league start on the road, where he has a 6.23 ERA. He has yet to allow a homer.Dodgers: After an off-day Monday, RHP Jose De Leon (2-0, 5.52) starts the series opener at San Diego. He beat the Padres 7-4 in his major league debut on Sept. 4, allowing four runs (three earned) and five hits in six innings. He had nine strikeouts and no walks. Dustin McGowan Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. http://www.officialraysgearshop.com/Rays-Adeiny-Hechavarria-Kids-Jersey/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Sergio Romo Jersey . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Wilson Ramos Jersey .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up.BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles had gone nearly a week without a victory, a stretch that included three one-run defeats in Arizona and a lopsided loss to Colorado at home. So, when they finally got to add another digit to their win total, the Orioles didnt really care if the outcome was influenced by their opponents mistakes. Brian Roberts and Manny Machado both hit two-run doubles during a seven-run third inning fueled by Colorado miscues, and Baltimore defeated the Rockies 8-4 Saturday night to end a four-game skid. Adam Jones had two hits in Baltimores highest-scoring inning of the season, which featured an error by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, two walks, a passed ball and a wild pitch. Six of the seven runs were unearned, but when it was done the Orioles had an 8-1 lead. "It was huge," winning pitcher Bud Norris said. "It was a tough stretch there in Arizona. But just to be back in the win column was huge. To have a seven-run third inning is definitely a help to any starting pitcher going out there. I just wanted to keep putting up zeroes and the bullpen really came in and picked me up, too." Norris (9-10) gave up four runs and nine hits over 5 2-3 innings to improve to 3-1 since coming to the Orioles in a trade with Houston on July 31. He was followed by a relief corps that allowed only three hits the rest of way. "This is the big leagues. The third inning with a seven-run lead is never comfortable," said Tommy Hunter, who worked the ninth. "Guys came in and threw the ball well in certain situations and got us to the end of the ballgame with a four-run lead." Most of the damage in the third inning came against Colorado rookie Chad Bettis (0-2), who allowed seven hits, four walks and eight runs in 2 2-3 innings. "It was really embarrassing," Bettis said. "I need to be better. I wasnt making the right pitches." Baltimores third inning began with a double by Chris Davis and an infield hit by Jones. Nick Markakis followed with an RBI single, and one out later Colorado brought the infield in with runners on second and third. Steve Pearce hit a grounder that got past Tulowitzki, allowing Jones to score. "I think Tul probably looked up to see if the runner was taking off from third," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "But, hes been as good as you can possibly be at shoortstop.dddddddddddd Hes not going to make every play for six months." Following the second out, Roberts doubled in two runs, Nate McLouth walked and Machado hit his major league-leading 43rd double. Adam Ottavino replaced Bettis and walked Davis before Jones delivered an RBI single for a seven-run cushion. "Ive never been a part of a bad seven-run inning, when youre the one scoring it," Roberts said. "Obviously, we needed a little something to kind of jump start us and that was big, to use the extra out they gave us to put some runs on the board. Everyone kind of breathed a little sigh of relief and said, All right. Now were ready to go." Dexter Fowler hit RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings for the Rockies, who lost for only the second time in eight games. Colorado stranded 11 and went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Jones had three hits and Davis picked up his 113th RBI to help the Orioles secure their first victory since beating San Francisco last Sunday. "I think people panic a little more outside the clubhouse than we do inside the clubhouse," Roberts said. "We all still feel like we are in pretty good shape." Colorado got two hits and two walks in the first inning but scored only once, when Tulowitzki bounced into a double play. In the bottom half, McLouth drew a leadoff walk, advanced on a single by Machado and came home on a fly ball by Davis. Although the Orioles left the bases loaded in the second, they made up for it in the third. NOTES: Orioles SS J.J. Hardy was late scratch with back spasms. It was the second game hes missed this season. ... The Orioles recalled RHP Josh Stinson from Triple-A Norfolk to fill out an overworked bullpen. He allowed one hit in 1 1-3 innings. ... Colorado activated closer Rafael Betancourt (appendicitis) from the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Manuel Corpas to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Betancourt worked a perfect eighth, striking out two. ... Baltimores Scott Feldman faces 11-game winner Jhoulys Chacin in the series finale. ... Orioles reliever Troy Patton walked the only batter he faced in the sixth inning, ending a run of 26 consecutive appearances without a walk. It was the second-longest streak in club history (Koji Uehara, 36). ... Tulowitzkis error was only the fifth in 15 games this month by the Rockies. ' ' '