Dodgers add division title

PHOENIX — Last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers went all the way to the last day of the regular season, posted a whopping 106 victories and still lost the National League West title to the San Francisco Giants by a game.

This year, the Dodgers’ division dominance left no doubt.

Clayton Kershaw pitched seven strong innings in a 4-0 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night as his club clinched the NL West title for the ninth time in 10 seasons.

When it was over, the Dodgers walked from the dugout to congratulate each other, much like they did after most of their wins in a runaway season, but this time they posed for a team photo on the diamond and headed back to the visitors’ clubhouse at Chase Field for a spirited, spraying celebration.

“We weren’t defending National League West champions. That was first on our list,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s something we should enjoy and be proud of and get back to work tomorrow, but it’s quite the accomplishment.”

The Dodgers, who clinched with the second-place San Diego Padres 20 1/2 games behind in the division standings, boosted their MLB-best record to 98-43. They had already become the first team to clinch a playoff berth Monday — something they initially believed happened with Sunday’s win against the Padres, leading to a postgame toast and the distribution of caps bearing the postseason logo. MLB acknowledged Monday it had made a mathematical mistake.

The Dodgers will have plenty of time to get set for their 10th straight year in the postseason, with their first playoff game not until Oct. 11.