D-Backs clinch NL West title

DENVER - While National League contenders in three time zones remain consumed by what-ifs and “what’s the score” as the regular season reaches an end, the Diamondbacks have time to bask.

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They D-Backs won the NL West pennant before they left the clubhouse Saturday evening, learning about a half-hour before their 11-1 loss to Colorado that they had clinched the division title by virtue of San Diego’s loss in Milwaukee.

They celebrated with a high-five fest at that time, then turned to a more traditional toast afterward, raising glasses of Cristal champagne — the good stuff — purchased by Livan Hernandez earlier in the day.

“This is a present for the best manager in the league,” Hernandez said, lifting a glass toward Melvin while catching him by surprise.

“It’s humbling,” Melvin said later. “I’m speechless that a guy would be that gracious.”

Melvin then hoisted his glass.

“Gentlemen, to the 2007 Western Division champion Arizona Diamondbacks,” he said to a roar of approval.

“Get used to drinking it,” third-base coach Chip Hale said.

The D-Backs, who also clinched home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs when San Diego lost, are scheduled to open the NL division series on Wednesday, likely against NL Central champion Chicago.

The date could change, however, in a scenario that involves Colorado, San Diego, New York and Philadelphia finishing with identical 89-73 records.

That would happen if Colorado beats the D-Backs today, San Diego loses again in Milwaukee, and both the Mets and Phillies win.

The Mets and Phillies would meet Monday in a one-game playoff to determine the NL East champion, and the loser would drop into a three-team playoff for the wild card that would take two days to finish.

The D-Backs then would not open the playoffs until Thursday, giving them one more day of rest.

“We’re rooting for 17-inning games no matter who plays (possible tiebreaker) games, and the farthest travel they can get,” Melvin said.

“We’ll deal with whatever we have to deal with. We’re going to be home and prepare at our place. That’s some of the fruits of being able to win your division.”

For the D-Backs, winning before playing had its perks Saturday.

While starter Edgar Gonzalez did not have his best results, giving up four first-inning runs, he did not need it.

Melvin was able to substitute liberally, using 14 position players while giving Stephen Drew a day off.

More rest is planned today, with scheduled starter Doug Davis instead to work a 40-pitch bullpen session to prepare for a start in Game 2 of the NLDS at Chase Field. Yusmeiro Petit will start instead.

Half of the regulars — Eric Byrnes, Chris Young, Chris Snyder and Augie Ojeda — also are not likely to play, Melvin said, to get an extra day of rest before the playoffs.

Byrnes has missed just two games all year and has 626 at-bats, while Young has played every game since June 18, 91 straight. Snyder and Ojeda have slight injuries.

“The focus is to win every time we play a baseball game, but we want to get ourselves ready for the playoffs,” Melvin said.