Padres wrap up NL West title

[frylock]

PHOENIX -- The Padres claimed back-to-back National League West titles for the first time in franchise history when they beat the Diamondbacks, 7-6, on Sunday in front of 48,946 at Chase Field, clinching home-field advantage against St. Louis in the NLDS, which opens Tuesday afternoon at PETCO Park.

The Dodgers and Padres have identical 88-74 records, but San Diego prevails in a tiebreaker by virtue of its 13-5 season record against Los Angeles.

Trevor Hoffman allowed two solo homers in the ninth, but he registered his 46th save after fellow relievers Alan Embree and Scott Linebrink had helped preserve the win for starter Woody Williams (12-5), who went 6 2/3 innings to outduel Cy Young Award candidate Brandon Webb (16-8). Adrian Gonzalez paced the 14-hit San Diego attack with a double and three singles, scoring twice and driving in two runs.

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694174&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Got a little bit scary there in Trevor Time, but they managed to pull it out despite a strange finish were the ump had initially called the runner safe at second on the force (4-3-6 -- don't ask). Boch went out to straighten things out. Pads finished out strong this season (8-2) while the Cards are looking a little shaky (3-7). Should be a good series.