Dodgers beat Padres 2-1, clinch home-field advantage against Mets

It looked improbable less than a week ago, but the Los Angeles Dodgers will start the playoffs at home.

The Dodgers squeaked out a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday, which, coupled with a 2-0 loss by the Mets, who were no-hit by Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer, was enough to clinch home-field advantage against New York.

The Dodgers got on the board right away with a home run by third baseman Justin Turner in the bottom of the first inning. The next batter, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, tried to keep the momentum going with a solid hit to shallow left field, but was robbed on a diving catch by Alexi Amarista.

In the bottom of the fourth, Turner kept his hot hitting alive with a single to right field that moved Howie Kendrick to third base. Gonzalez grounded into a double play, but Kendrick was able to score to make it 2-0.

Unlike Friday night, the Padres did manage to keep this one close. In the top of the fifth, catcher Austin Hedges blasted a solo shot to left-center field. The homer was only the second hit given up by Greinke to that point. In his last chance to boost his Cy Young Award credentials, Greinke improved his record to 19-3, striking out eight while surrendering just four hits over eight innings. Kenley Jansen picked up his 36th save of the season.

Saturday night was also the return of Yasiel Puig, who hadn’t played since Aug. 27 because of a strained hamstring. Puig singled in his first at-bat, but was mostly ineffective, going 1-3.

The Dodgers will finish the regular season on Sunday against the Padres beginning at 12:10. Manager Don Mattingly hinted before Saturday’s game that he might consider a guest manager if the team had already clinched home-field advantage.