The Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched the NL West title after star pitcher Clayton Kershaw produced another great display in an 8-0 defeat of the San Francisco Giants.
Kershaw tossed a one-hit shut-out as the Dodgers set up a best-of-five division series clash with the NL East champion New York Mets.
Center fielder Enrique Hernandez, left fielder Justin Ruggiano and catcher A.J. Ellis hit solo home runs off Giants ace lefty Madison Bumgarner, as the Dodgers snapped a four-game losing streak.
Bumgarner was the MVP when the Giants won the World Series last year but this loss formally ended their hopes of defending their crown.
Kershaw (16-7) finally got the better of the Giants in his fourth match-up of the year with them, allowing just a third-inning single and striking out 13 in a 104-pitch complete game which boosted his Cy Young candidacy.
He struck out the side in order three times and retired the final 19 batters he faced in a dominant display.
The Dodgers will be making a third consecutive trip to the postseason, a first for the franchise, and have won their 14th NL West crown in total.
