MAJOR LEAGUES
For the second time in three seasons, the Washington Nationals will head to the post-season with the top seeding in the National League.
The NL East champion Nationals locked up home-field advantage until the World Series by beating the Miami Marlins 4-0 on Doug Fister’s three-hitter in the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Friday.
Photo: AFP
Miami earned a split by winning the insignificant second game 15-7 with 22 hits, including Kike Hernandez’s grand slam and J.T. Realmuto’s three-run triple.
Washington’s record was 94-66 at the end of a long day; the last pitch was thrown 9 hours, 35 minutes after the first.
Taylor Hill (0-1) took the loss in his first major league start, allowing seven runs and 10 hits in 4-2/3 innings. A.J. Ramos (7-0) earned the win with a 1-2/3 eighth inning.
Earlier, Solano was the only player who got a hit off Fister (16-6).
Washington’s Anthony Rendon hit a solo shot to left off wild-as-can-be Jarred Cosart (4-4), who walked eight.
ROYALS 3, WHITE SOX 1
Kansas City’s long post-season drought is over.
The Royals clinched a playoff spot for the first time in 29 years, beating the White Sox behind seven scoreless innings from Jeremy Guthrie.
Kansas City secured at least a wild card and ended the longest active post-season drought among the major North American sports leagues.
With Detroit losing to Minnesota, Kansas City trails the Tigers by a game in the AL Central with two to play. If they are tied after today, the teams will play game No. 163 at Detroit tomorrow to determine the division winner.
Guthrie (13-11) allowed four hits while winning his third straight start. He struck out six and walked one.
Hector Noesi (8-12) allowed six hits in six innings.
YANKEES 3, RED SOX 2
In Boston, Derek Jeter took the night off after his emotional final home game and watched a bunch of Yankees rookies beat a group of Red Sox rookies.
Watching from the dugout, there was little excitement for him to see one day after he provided plenty with his ultimate walkoff — a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning in the final home game of his 20 seasons.
The Yankees had five rookies in the starting lineup for the first time in more than 30 years and the Red Sox started seven, including pitcher Steven Wright (0-1).
David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 39th save a night after failing to protect a three-run lead, setting up Jeter’s dramatic moment.
New York gave Chris Capuano (3-4) got the win.
ATHLETICS 6, RANGERS 2
In Arlington, Texas, Josh Reddick drove in three runs, while Scott Kazmir won for the first time in seven starts as the Athletics moved ever so close to their third consecutive playoff appearance with a victory over Texas.
The A’s, who snapped a three-game losing streak, would clinch an American League wild-card spot with a loss by Seattle against the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels lateron Friday night.
Adam Dunn, the big designated hitter batting in the No. 2 spot for the first time since June 2008, had a two-run double in the third for Oakland (87-73).
Nick Tepesch (5-11) allowed six runs and six hits, with four walks, in 4-1/3 innings.
Kazmir (15-9) struck out five without a walk, while limiting the Rangers to two runs (one earned) and four hits over seven innings.
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Twins 11, Tigers 4
‧ Dodgers 7, Rockies 4
‧ Pirates 3, Reds 1
‧ Phillies 5, Braves 4
‧ Indians 1, Rays 0
‧ Blue Jays 4, Orioles 2
‧ Astros 3, Mets 1
‧ Cubs 6, Brewers 4
‧ Padres 4, Giants 1
‧ Cardinals 7, Diamondbacks 6
‧ Mariners 4, Angels 3
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