Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (C, front) slides safely into home as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis (C, obscured) attempts to apply the tag after a wild pitch by teammate Chris Capuano (R) during their MLB game in Washington Thursday. — Reuters WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals brought postseason baseball back to the nation's capital for the first time since 1933, earning a playoff spot Thursday with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Nats Clinch” flashed on the scoreboard as Washington ensured at least an NL wild-card spot behind Ross Detwiler's six strong innings and Ryan Zimmerman's RBI double. A crowd of 30,359 stood and cheered in the ninth inning, then got even louder when Drew Storen struck out Hanley Ramirez to end it. Manager Davey Johnson saluted the fans as he left the field and the team wore caps acknowledging the playoff berth. Washington's magic number to win the NL East was reduced to eight. The Nationals lead idle Atlanta by 5½ games. Reds 5, Cubs 3: The Reds became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Cubs while manager Dusty Baker remained in a hospital after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Ace Johnny Cueto (18-9) and the NL Central leaders ensured themselves of at least a wild-card spot. Cincinnati cut its magic number to two for winning the division for the second time in three years. Phillies 16, Mets 1: Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley sparked an eight-run first inning, Ryan Howard added a late grand slam and the Phillies routed the inept Mets before a few hundred fans at quiet Citi Field. Rookie right-hander Tyler Cloyd (2-1) pitched eight innings of three-hit ball and the Phillies stayed four games behind St. Louis for the second NL wild card, with two other teams in their path. Cardinals 5, Astros 4: Pinch-hitter Carlos Beltran snapped a sixth-inning tie with a two-run double and Allen Craig hit a three-run homer, powering the Cardinals to a season sweep at home against the Astros. Brewers 9, Pirates 7: Rickie Weeks hit a tying two-run triple and scored the go-ahead run on Aramis Ramirez's single, helping surging Milwaukee rally for the victory. Giants 9, Rockies 2: Pablo Sandoval homered from both sides of the plate and the NL West-leading Giants reduced their magic number to clinch the division to four. Buster Posey also connected to back another strong start by Barry Zito (13-8) as San Francisco completed a four-game series sweep. Padres 6, Diamondbacks 5: Jesus Guzman homered to help San Diego get the victory. Clayton Richard (14-12) allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings to raise his career record against Arizona to 6-0 — including three wins in three starts at Chase Field over the past 10 weeks. — Agencies
