HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros bought themselves at least one more game in the building that brought the world AstroTurf, but the team and the fans still said goodbye to the Astrodome on Sunday.

The Astros finished their 35th and final season inside the dome with an 9-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In doing so, Houston clinched its third straight NL Central title and a playoff berth. They'll play either the Cincinnati Reds or the New York Mets for the first two games of a best-of-5 series, and then return to the Dome for Game 3 on Friday and a fourth game later, if necessary.

Sunday's crucial game was sandwiched between celebrations honoring the more than three decades of indoor Astros baseball.

Astros manager Larry Dierker, who was an 18-year-old rising prospect with Houston when the stadium opened, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to thunderous applause from 52,033 fans, a club-record fifth straight game with 50,000 or more fans.

"Immediately afterward, I don't think it hits you. But as the evening progresses, I think it rose on you," Dierker said. "I wouldn't be surprised if I don't shed a tear before the night is over."

Country singer Charley Pride delivered a low-key rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and then the Astros turned to the business of keeping their season -- and baseball in the Astrodome -- alive for another day.

"Everything here was just memorable, and I'm going to miss it," said Joel Manjarris, a Houstonian who attended his first game at the Astrodome in the inaugural season. Manjarris said he'll be back for the playoffs.

Closer Jay Powell withstood hundreds of flashbulbs through two batters as he tried to get the final out.

The fans rose to their feet as Mark Grudzielanek stepped to the plate, but he singled to score Dave Hansen and make it 9-4.

With the count at 3-2, Powell struck out Raul Mondesi, closing the last regular-season game at the Astrodome under a shower of red, white and blue confetti.

"I was teary-eyed when it was over because I loved this place," said Michelle Christopher, who said she has been to dozens of Astros games and even the bizarre bloodless bullfights held at the Astrodome on Feb. 4, 1966.

Most of the crowd stayed for post-game ceremonies, which Craig Biggio started early with a tradition from the world of auto racing.

Biggio, a large cigar clenched in his teeth, and winning pitcher Mike Hampton rode a victory lap atop a Harley-Davidson. Soon, the entire sweat-drenched team ran a victory lap on foot and traded high-fives with fans.

"This being the last regular season game here made it all pretty sweet. The fans were awesome," Biggio said. "The people here in the Dome deserve this one too."

Former Astros announcer Gene Elston introduced the opening day roster from 1965, the year the Astrodome opened, and then some two dozen former and present Astros players voted by fans to the All-Time Astros team took the field.

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who pitched his fifth career no-hitter in the Astrodome, drew the biggest applause as he was introduced.

Also on the squad was Mike Scott, who on Sept. 25, 1986, pitched the only no-hitter ever to decide a division title. Powered by Scott's pitching, the Astros captured the NL West with a 2-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on that date.

Fan favorite Jose Cruz, now a first base coach for the Astros, drew what sounded like boos as fans greeted him with "Cruuuz." Current stars Biggio and Jeff Bagwell also were announced as part of the all-time team.

To close the night, country star Willie Nelson sang "Turn Out the Lights, the Party's Over."

Though the famed exploding scoreboard is 11 years gone, removed to make way for 10,000 extra seats at the request of the since-departed NFL Houston Oilers, the massive "Diamond Vision" TV screens played a facsimile of the original scoreboard's salute to a home run.

The massive bull snorted fire from his nostrils and the cowboy shot his six-gun one last time.