Dodgers are loose while poised to clinch the division

Through the thick tension that enveloped the Dodgers' clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, a pennant-race game blared ominously from one of the overhead plasma televisions.

The Boston Red Sox game?

So, well, OK, couch spectator Manny Ramirez apparently forgot which pennant race he was playing in.

And, OK, so neither did Angel Berroa, who was stressing so much he was flying a remote helicopter near his locker.

Nearly landed that sucker on Delwyn Young's head.

Berroa was excited because the helicopter had just been sent to him in the clubhouse, which makes another point about this team.

Remember several years ago when some players received steroids in the Dodger Stadium mail?

These guys are taking delivery of toys.

These guys are hanging looser than Matt Kemp's uniform pants, bouncing more freely than Ramirez's hair, thrilled to be back home, stretching toward October.

Shortly after the Arizona Diamondbacks lost to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night -- yeah, Manny, that's the team chasing you, Arizona -- the Dodgers wiped out the San Diego Padres, 10-1.

Their West Division lead is now three. Their magic number is now three. Even with all their vulnerabilities, only the blackest of that magic could cause their collapse now.

As quickly as this race felt tight, it now feels over.

"This season I've seen real growth, real progress," said owner Frank McCourt on Tuesday afternoon. "Now we'll see how close we are."

Close enough that they mostly ignored the Diamondbacks before the game, then finished them off about 20 minutes into the game.

Close enough that Ramirez could inspire them not only with his bat, but his feet.

First inning, runners on second and third against dazed and confused Padres kid Wade LeBlanc.

It appeared as if LeBlanc wanted to intentionally walk Ramirez then changed his mind, choosing instead to hang a curveball over the middle that Ramirez pounded into left-center field to score two runs.

Then it got exciting, with Ramirez stretching the routine single into a double against the slow reaction and throw of Padres center fielder Will Venable.

Ramirez laughed. The Dodgers dugout howled.

Inspired? The next four Dodgers reached base, highlighted by Nomar Garciaparra's three-run homer.