Dodgers clinch tie for division title

The closer the Dodgers move to the NL West title, the louder the ballpark becomes.

What started as scattered applause when the video scoreboard over the left-field stands relayed news that second-place Arizona had lost, turned into a stadium-rocking celebration when Manny Ramirez crushed a two-run home run in the sixth inning that opened a three-run lead and sent the Dodgers to a 12-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

With the magic number for the Dodgers to win the division down to one, the NL West crown could be theirs by the time they show up for their final regular-season game of the season at Dodger Stadium, as the Diamondbacks play in St. Louis at 11:15 a.m.

"We still have a little work to do," Manager Joe Torre said. "Hopefully, we can do it tomorrow, either on their timetable or ours."

Though Torre said he would rest his regular position players today if the Diamondbacks lose, he stated that the Dodgers wouldn't be spraying any champagne until after their own game tonight.

The paid crowd of 44,776 fans that was at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday already started celebrating, as Ramirez's 17th home run as a Dodger was only one of several cues for them to jump and shout.

They roared when Nomar Garciaparra hit his second home run in as many nights. They rose to their feet when Jeff Kent hit for the first time for in almost a month.

They did the same when Rafael Furcal played his first game in 4 1/2 months.

"When I came in, I wasn't thinking about the postseason or anything," said Ramirez, who has driven in 53 runs with the Dodgers.

"I was just trying to fit in, play the game and show people that I play hard."

But this two-month audition for free agency has turned into something more, at least for the fans who cheered loud and long enough to get Ramirez to acknowledge them.

Ramirez treated this home run like any other, slapping hands with Russell Martin at home plate, removing his helmet, ducking into the dugout and sinking onto the bench.

He had no choice but to re-emerge and tip his helmet to the roaring crowd, which produced chants of "M-V-P! M-V-P!"

Ramirez's former Boston teammate, Garciaparra, gave the Dodgers their initial push. Starting over James Loney for the second consecutive day, he cut into a 2-0 deficit in the fourth inning with a solo home run off Padres starter Shawn Estes.