Nats clinch NL East, beat Pirates 6-1 behind Lopez, Drew

Washington was 1-5 against the Dodgers, but two of the losses were one-run games. “It makes me madder than anybody else”.

The Nats star appeared to be angered by the play, and Washington manager Dusty Baker was seen yelling into the Pirates dugout. “I’m telling you – let these young men have a great time tonight, back to work tomorrow”. Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos each drove in two runs and reliever Reynaldo Lopez (4-3) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings for Washington (90-64). Pittsburgh (77-77) has won seven of its past 10 games but remains four games out of a wild-card spot, pending the result of a later San Francisco game, with eight games left. First inning he was elevated and wasn’t as sharp. Robinson Chirinos added an RBI double in the ninth for Texas (92-63), which moved 29 games above.500 for the first time since exactly four years ago on September 24, 2012.

Jose Quintana gave up one run in six innings, while Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu set up the victory by driving in runs in the first inning, while Todd Frazier later connected for his 39th homer of the season. This step is the hardest to get.

Joe Ross allowed one run and five hits over 2 2/3 innings in his second start since missing 2½ months with right shoulder inflammation. “I knew I was the last guy, so I figured just in case”. As well, the Washington offense ranked fourth in the NL in runs scored, and the team also ranked fourth in defensive efficiency (i.e., the percentage of balls in play that a team defense converts into outs).

The first came when pinch-hitter Brian Goodwin hit a bunt single. Werth and Harper got RBIs on fielder’s choices and Rendon brought home a run with a sacrifice fly.

Paulo Orlando hit a tying, two-run double in the top of the ninth and Eric Hosmer followed with a three-run homer for the Royals.

First baseman/outfielder Josh Bell is the Pirates’ minor league player of the year and right-hander Mitch Keller their minor league pitcher of the year.

“When we needed shut-down innings I was able to go out there and put up zeroes when we really needed it and it helped get the offence going”, Scherzer said.

Nationals: 2B Daniel Murphy did not start for a fifth game in a row after an MRI revealed a strained glute muscle. Pirates LF Starling Marte missed his second straight game after leaving Thursday’s game because of recurring back tightness. Pirates SS Jordy Mercer was out of the lineup because of a forearm injury. Cole, whose seven starts have yielded a 4.68 ERA and 0.2 fWAR in 32 ⅔ innings this year. Against the Pirates’ Tyler Glasnow, Baker announced his plans to start 24-year-old A.J. The rookie was placed on the disabled list the following day with shoulder inflammation and has made three relief appearances since being activated August 28.