The Washington Nationals are headed to the postseason for the first time in their D.C. history, clinching a spot with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night. The Nats can now do no worse than the second Wild Card spot.
Ross Detwiler (10-6) was fantastic on the mound yet again, pitching six innings and allowing just one run. Detwiler has been one of the steadier pitchers in the game all season and Thursday was no different. He gave up just three hits while striking out five during his six innings. The only blemish was a Mark Ellis solo homer to lead off the fourth.
On offense, the Nats lineup got to Los Angeles starer Chris Capuano with back-to-back two-run rallies in the third and fourth. Ryan Zimmerman, who received his third cortisone shot of the season this week, doubled home Bryce Harper to break the scoreless tie. Zimmerman eventually scored on a Capuano wild pitch that made it 2-0.
One inning later, it was Danny Espinosa who came through with the RBI double, driving in Ian Desmond. Espinosa would also eventually score on a Kurt Suzuki sac fly, and with Detwiler cruising, the Nationals would never look back. Christian Garcia, Ryan Mattheus, and Drew Storen cleaned up the final three innings without incident.
The win also clinched the series after Wednesday's split in the doubleheader. Milwaukee, who's suddenly in the Wild Card discussion, comes to town on Friday for a weekend series. Edwin Jackson will take the hill for Washington on Friday while the Brewers will counter with Shaun Marcum.
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