A Win Out of Left Field

Only the heroes change nightly for the Dodgers. The fist-pumping, heart-racing, crowd-pleasing results are pretty similar.

David Ross became the newest member of the Dodgers’ magical-moment club Thursday night by hitting a two-out, two-run, walk-off home run in the 11th inning to cap a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies in front of a sellout crowd of 53,438 at Dodger Stadium.

With Alex Cora on first after having been hit with a two-out pitch, the struggling catcher connected on a 2-and-1 slider from Steve Reed and the ball barely cleared the left-field wall, landing on the roof of the Dodger bullpen waiting room.

Ross pumped his right fist as he circled the bases and eventually disappeared into a swarm of teammates at the plate. Manager Jim Tracy applauded on the field, and owner Frank McCourt, his face creased by a wide grin, savored the moment in the stands while Dodger Stadium rocked around him.

“There’s some magic in this clubhouse, there’s something special here with this team,” said pitcher Jose Lima, who pitched seven strong innings on his 32nd birthday.

“Everyone believes. These guys just don’t want to give up. This is the best birthday gift in the world for me.”

Ross’ fifth home run ended the 3-hour 9-minute game and reduced the Dodgers’ magic number to one to clinch their first National League West title in nine years. For a catcher who was batting .169 beginning play, the magic of the moment eased the pain of a disappointing season.

“It’s like a thousand pounds came off my shoulders,” said Ross, who took two curtain calls, one with Lima. “I was talking to it, yelling for it to get out.

“It was a great feeling rounding third and seeing all those guys waiting for me. But after a while, I just wanted them to get off my back.”

The Dodgers (92-67) rallied for three victories in the four-game series against the Rockies (68-91) and matched the team record for comeback wins with their 52nd this year. Brian Fuentes (2-4), who hit Cora, took the loss. Yhency Brazoban (5-2) worked a scoreless 11th for the victory.

The NL West leaders play host to the second-place San Francisco Giants (89-70) in the teams’ final three-game series beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium, needing one victory to finally end the suspense and win the division outright.

The Dodgers clinched at least a tie for the division title. They would be assured of at least the NL wild-card berth if the Houston Astros lose one of their remaining three games, and the West championship if the Giants lose once this weekend at Chavez Ravine.

“They have to beat us three times in a row in our house?” Lima said. “No chance. We’ll do it tomorrow.”

Ross’ timely hit helped to clarify the Dodgers’ playoff picture.

“I couldn’t be happier for the young man, because of the hard work he puts in and the effort he gives,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “To have this happen to him tonight is just terrific.”

“It couldn’t happen to a better guy,” said closer Eric Gagne, who gave up the go-ahead run in the 10th. “This was the biggest game of the year and he came through.”

Gagne was unavailable Wednesday because of shoulder tendinitis, but Tracy turned to him to start the 10th on Thursday with the score tied, 1-1. He was not as sharp as usual.

Aaron Miles hit a chopper to third and beat Adrian Beltre’s throw to first for a leadoff single. Royce Clayton sacrificed, and the Dodgers intentionally walked Helton, who had three hits and a walk in his first four plate appearances.

Miles advanced to third on Vinny Castilla’s fly ball to deep center and scored on Jeromy Burnitz’s clutch two-out, two-strike single to left, giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead. The Dodgers tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the inning on Jayson Werth’s fielder’s choice grounder against Chin-hui Tsao.

That set the stage for Ross, who rarely has the spotlight.

“I knew it had a chance,” Ross said. “But when you’re batting a buck sixty-nine you hustle and run it out.”