Dodgers clinch playoff spot, with help from Russell Martin, Jonathan Broxton

A pair of All-Star old friends reconnected in Pittsburgh on Friday night, as the result clinched a spot for the Dodgers, who are in Chicago, in the 2014 MLB playoffs.

Russell Martin hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning against Jonathan Broxton on Friday, turning a 2-0 Brewers lead into a 3-2 Pirates advantage. Pittsburgh beat the Brewers 4-2, sending Milwaukee to its 75th loss of the season, meaning the most they can win is 87 games.

The Dodgers won their 88th game of the season earlier on Friday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, meaning even in an absolute worst case scenario the Dodgers would still be one of the two National League Wild Card teams, at least.

The National League Wild Card Game will be played on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and will be televised by ESPN.

But the Dodgers have a bigger goal in mind, with a three-game lead over the Giants in the National League West and a magic number of seven to clinch the division.

Both Broxton (second round) and Martin (17th round) were drafted by the Dodgers in 2002, and both enjoyed success as Dodgers. Martin made a pair of All-Star teams in Los Angeles, in 2007 and 2008, as did Broxton, in 2009 and 2010. Martin caught 290 of Broxton's 386 appearances as a Dodger.

On Friday, they reunited one more time, and the Dodgers benefited.