PITTSBURGH, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Jim Thome hit a key two-run single Saturday, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-4 win over Pittsburgh and securing a post-season berth.
LA Manager Joe Torre will make his 14th straight playoff appearance.
Thome, acquired from the White Sox Aug. 31, hit the big single while batting for winner George Sherrill (1-0) with one out in the top of the eighth.
Ronnie Belliard had three hits, including a solo homer.
Manny Ramirez and Mark Loretta had two hits and one RBI apiece, while three others had one RBI for the Dodgers, who clinched a post-season berth for the third time in four years.
They reduced their magic number to three for clinching the National League West Division.
Pittsburgh got a two-run single from Andrew McCutchen.
Andy LaRoche hit a solo homer, while Luis Cruz had two hits and one RBI for the Pirates, who have lost 24 of 28.
The losing pitcher was Denny Bautista (1-1).
