Dodgers, Mariners use finale to prepare for playoffs

Harry Ford grew up as a Braves fan in the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, Ga.

He idolized first baseman Freddie Freeman.

When Ford got his first major league hit Saturday night for the Seattle Mariners, it was Freeman, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who signaled to his teammates to throw him the ball so he could present it to the rookie catcher.

"It was pretty surreal to see him there," Ford said. "And yeah, it was definitely a moment I won't forget."

The Dodgers (92-69) and Mariners (90-71), who have already clinched the West Division titles in their respective leagues and are locked into their playoff seeding -- Seattle will be the No. 2 seed in the American League and get a first-round bye while Los Angeles will be the National League's No. 3 seed and will have to play in the wild-card round -- will wrap up the regular season Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Park.

With the Mariners in the thick of a pennant race and catcher Cal Raleigh chasing home run history, Ford made his first start behind the plate since being called up Sept. 1 in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Ford, who had a game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 12th inning of a 7-6 victory against the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 11, grounded the first pitch he saw from Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow up the middle for a single. Freeman called for the ball and gave Ford a pat on the back and on top of his helmet.

Between having his mother in the stands and being handed the ball by his idol, Ford said he didn't even realize he received a standing ovation from the crowd.

"I didn't really hear anything," he said. "I was just locked in, but it was cool seeing it on the board."

Considered one of the best prospects in baseball, Ford has tried to keep his eyes and ears open during his September call-up.

"This type of environment teaches you a lot," Ford said. "Seeing the preparation daily and just how everyone goes about their business, it's definitely different from what I've seen in the past."

Count Mariners starter Logan Gilbert as among those impressed.

"I wanted to mention that Harry did a great job," Gilbert said. "From the scouting report, the game plan, he was very prepared. I knew what he wanted to do. Each hitter, he did a ton of research, but kind of condensed it in a good way, and then on the field, really good blocks behind the plate, splitter, slider. I didn't always make it easy on him, and he did a good job back there. He did everything and got his first hit."

The Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez went 3 for 4 and hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the ninth inning Saturday to raise his average to .206. Hernandez, who launched a two-run homer in the series opener Friday, is among the L.A. players trying to make a case for their inclusion on the first-round playoff roster.

"You see guys playing, competing for an opportunity to be on the postseason roster," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I like that fight. They're leaving it all out there. That's all I ask."

Another player in that situation is left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who has announced his plans to retire after the season.

Kershaw (10-2, 3.52 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (4-5, 5.53).

Kershaw, who has won his past six decisions, is 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in five career starts against Seattle.

Miller, who hasn't gotten a decision in four September starts after winning his last two in August, is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two previous starts versus the Dodgers.

--Field Level Media