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SPORTS Thursday 26 sepTember 2019
Turner's slam helps Nats sweep Phils, clinch wild card

By The Associated Press ing a single — his fourth hit with a September flourish. rates sent 13 batters to the walk from Adam Conley (2-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea of the game — through the They've won 16 of 18, posi- plate in the seventh as they 10) in the 11th, and Brigham
Turner's go-ahead grand left side of the infield. He tioning themselves for one chased starter Kyle Hen- hit Amed Rosario with a 97
slam lifted Washington to raised his hands as play- of the NL wild cards along dricks (11-10) and erased mph fastball.
a 6-5 victory over the Phila- ers rushed the field to cel- with Washington. a 1-0 deficit. Pittsburgh A wild pitch advanced
delphia Phillies for a dou- both runners before Todd
bleheader sweep Tuesday Frazier was intentionally
that helped the Nationals walked. One out later, Nim-
clinch an NL wild card, cap- mo walked on a 3-1 pitch
ping quite a turnaround for to force in the winning run.
a team that was 19-31 in Paul Sewald (1-1), the sev-
late May. enth Mets pitcher, struck
Turner had three hits in the out two in a perfect inning
day's first game, a 4-1 win for his first major league win
for the Nationals. in his 119th appearance.
Washington assured itself of DODGERS 6, PADRES 3
returning to the playoffs for SAN DIEGO (AP) — Max
the fifth time in eight years Muncy hit his first career
after sitting out October in grand slam and Los An-
2018. geles clinched home-field
Anthony Rendon delivered advantage throughout the
two sacrifice flies to raise his NL playoffs even before it
majors-leading RBIs total to beat staggering San Diego.
124 in the opening victory, The seven-time NL West
a result that also eliminated champion Dodgers (101-
Philadelphia and $330 mil- 56) locked up home field
lion outfielder Bryce Harper, when the two-time NL East
the ex-Nationals star, from champion Atlanta Braves
postseason contention. (96-62) lost 9-6 at Kansas
In the nightcap, Washing- City.
ton trailed 4-2 entering the Muncy's 34th home run was
sixth, because Brad Miller a moon shot to right field
managed to hit two hom- on the first pitch by Gerar-
ers off Max Scherzer (11-7). Washington Nationals' Trea Turner, second from right, celebrates with teammates Howie Kendrick, do Reyes with two outs in
Washington loaded the from left, Victor Robles and Asdrubal Cabrera after batting them in on a grand slam in the sixth the fourth.
bases in the sixth against inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, Reyes came on after rook-
Aaron Nola (12-7) with two Sept. 24, 2019, in Washington. ie Ronald Bolaños (0-2)
walks and a single, setting Associated Press walked Will Smith, allowed
the stage for Turner's 18th a single to reliever Tony
homer of the season and ebrate. They can clinch Wednes- stopped a nine-game los- Gonsolin and walked Joc
second career slam, which The game last 6 hours and day with a win or losses by ing streak in which it had Pederson.
came off Jared Hughes. 53 minutes and featured the Cubs and Mets. been outscored 87-26. Gonsolin (4-2) pitched two
In the first game, Tanner 24 pitchers and 48 strike- Braun connected for his Francisco Liriano (5-3) perfect innings in relief of
Rainey (2-3) struck out two outs, with both teams plow- 21st homer off Sonny Gray pitched a perfect seventh. Rich Hill, with three strike-
in a 1-2-3 sixth for the win in ing through bullpen arms (11-8), making the final Pittsburgh rookie Mitch outs. Kenley Jansen worked
the makeup of a June 18 thanks to September's ex- start of his All-Star season. Keller gave up one run and the ninth for his 31st save.
rainout. panded rosters. The Dia- Braun's 27 homers at Great seven hits in five innings. ROCKIES 8, GIANTS 5, 16 IN-
Nick Vincent (1-4) took the mondbacks used a fran- American are the most by METS 5, MARLINS 4, 11 IN- NINGS
loss in the first game. chise-record 30 players. It a visiting player. NINGS SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —
DIAMONDBACKS 3, CARDI- was the longest game by Brent Suter (4-0) allowed NEW YORK (AP) — Three Colorado and San Fran-
NALS 2, 19 INNINGS innings and time in Chase three hits in three relief in- outs from postseason elimi- cisco combined to use a
PHOENIX (AP) — Ildemaro Field history. nings. Josh Hader allowed nation, New York tied it 4-all major league-record 25
Vargas had a game-tying Kevin Ginkel (3-0) pitched a a pair of hits in the ninth be- in the ninth when Michael pitchers, and Charlie Black-
pinch-hit homer in the ninth scoreless inning for the win. fore fanning Kyle Farmer for Conforto clocked his sec- mon hit a three-run homer
inning and then singled St. Louis had its lead in the his 36th save in 42 chances. ond two-run homer of the in the 16th inning to end it.
with the bases loaded in NL Central cut to 2 1/2 PIRATES 9, CUBS 2 game, connecting off José The game lasted 5 hours, 31
the 19th at 1:34 a.m. local games over Milwaukee. PITTSBURGH (AP) — Freef- Ureña for his 33rd long ball minutes, with Giants man-
time to lift Arizona past St. The Cardinals have four alling Chicago committed of the season. Brandon ager Bruce Bochy making
Louis. games remaining, while five errors, including two in Nimmo won it by working 12 pitching changes —
Carson Kelly and Nick the Brewers have five. a seven-run seventh inning, a bases-loaded walk in hardly taking it easy in his
Ahmed started the final ral- BREWERS 4, REDS 2 and moved to the brink of the 11th against rookie Jeff final week on the job.
ly with back-to-back singles CINCINNATI (AP) — Ryan elimination with its seventh Brigham. Blackmon's first hit of the
off John Brebbia (3-4), who Braun added to his record straight loss. After wins by Washington night came in his eighth
was the Cardinals' 11th total of homers at Great Chicago dropped to 82-75 and Milwaukee earlier in plate appearance and off
pitcher of the night. Jarrod American Ball Park, and and would be eliminated the day, the Mets needed Dereck Rodriguez (6-10) for
Dyson and Robbie Ray — a Milwaukee moved a step with one more loss or Mil- a victory to stay in the play- his 31st home run.
pitcher who had to pinch closer to a wild-card berth waukee win. off race. Both clubs left the bases
hit — struck out before with its fifth win in a row. The Cubs have not missed They are tied with the plum- loaded in the 11th, and
Christian Walker was inten- Just like last season, when the playoffs since 2014. meting Chicago Cubs, five Colorado stranded 15 bas-
tionally walked to load the Milwaukee put on a late Aided by a fielding error by games behind the Brewers erunners.
bases. rush to take the NL Cen- second baseman Ben Zo- for the second NL wild card Sam Howard (2-0) pitched
Then it was Vargas' turn to tral title, the Brewers have brist and errant throw by re- with five to play. the final two innings for the
be the hero again, smack- closed in on a playoff spot liever Danny Hultzen, the Pi- Conforto drew a leadoff win.q