MLB Notes: Washington Nationals clinch third N.L. East title
The Washington Nationals clinched their third National League East title in five years, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 Saturday night behind 5 1/3 scoreless innings from rookie reliever Reynaldo Lopez.
The Nationals are N.L. East champions for the third time in team history. Dusty Baker is a division champion for the first time since 2012 and has now won at least one with every team he has managed.
Stephen Drew’s two-run single capped a three-run first inning for the Nationals, who return to the postseason after a one-year absence. Their win ensured a playoff berth, and they won the division about 20 minutes later when the second-place New York Mets lost to Philadelphia.
Lopez (4-3) came on to the start the bottom of the fourth inning with a 6-1 lead and allowed three hits while striking out five and walking one. He was removed a runner on first and one out in the ninth inning.
Marc Rzepczynski and Blake Treinen got one out each to end the game, and a pocket of Nationals’ fans behind the visiting dugout cheered.
Rangers celebrate plan for playoffs
Colby Lewis obliged his wife when she requested a picture under an A.L. West champion banner of the four Texas players part of each division title since 2010.
Lewis was joined for the celebratory clubhouse photo op Friday night by Elvis Andrus, Derek Holland and Mitch Moreland.
The Rangers are on to the playoffs again after capturing their second straight A.L. West title and fourth since 2010 with a 3-0 win against the Oakland Athletics.
“It’s just kind of a testament to the organization and what they have done to bring titles here, bring the right guys in, keep a relaxed atmosphere,” Lewis said Saturday. “It’s a testament to our clubhouse, the guys that we have. We just got out there and have fun. I don’t think we worry about a lot. I think that’s the one thing that makes our club so good.”
Texas (92-63) is the first A.L. team to secure a playoff berth, and beat the A’s 5-0 on Saturday to move 29 games above .500 for the first time in exactly four years, since Sept. 24, 2012. Manager Jeff Banister looked to give guys a quick rest before chasing home-field advantage, which he called priority one.
“The talent that we have is able to keep us in that position that we’re in right now,” slugger Prince Fielder said. “It just has a lot to say about the way the Rangers scout and what they see and how they develop players. It’s always a good thing when that happens.”
Girardi upset over bullpen question
New York manager Joe Girardi said he walked out of Friday’s post-game media session because he was upset by questions about his bullpen usage, not because the slumping Yankees lost ground in the A.L. wild card race and were eliminated from the A.L. East.
“That’s a sign of some of the questions I was asked,” Girardi said before Saturday’s game. “There’s some things I don’t like. If I don’t like it, I’m not going to deal with it, bottom line.”
The Yankees lost 9-0 in Toronto on Friday, their ninth defeat in 12 games following a seven-game winning streak. Girardi got up and angrily walked out after being pressed on his decision to use righty Blake Parker in the seventh inning with his team trailing 3-0. Toronto scored four runs in one-third of an inning against Parker to blow the game open.
Girardi denied his move was a sign he didn’t believe the Yankees still had a chance to make the playoffs.
“I’m trying to win the game,” Girardi said. “To insinuate that I’ve quit is ridiculous. I never quit.”
New York began Saturday four games behind Detroit for the second wild card spot with nine games remaining.
Third baseman Chase Headley (back) and first baseman Mark Teixeira (neck) were not in the starting lineup Saturday.
Clearing the bases
The Dodgers scratched Rich Hill from his scheduled start Sunday in the series finale against Colorado because of a blister that forced him to miss a month earlier in the season. Brandon McCarthy will return from a month-long stint on the disabled list with right hip stiffness to replace Hill. … Yangervis Solarte rejoined the Padres on Saturday, a week after his wife, Yuliett, died due to complications of cancer at age 31. … Red Sox manager John Farrell has not ruled out injured third baseman Pablo Sandoval returning this year should an injury replacement be required. Sandoval was not expected back until 2017 following a left shoulder injury that sent him to the DL in April. … White Sox CF Adam Eaton will sit out at least the next two games after crashing into the padded wall while catching a line drive in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Indians.