Reds clinch playoff spot with win

CHICAGO—The Cincinnati Reds became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Chicago Cubs 5-3 Thursday while manager Dusty Baker remained in a hospital after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

Baker is hoping to return to Cincinnati on Friday. Bench coach Chris Speier ran the team for a second straight game.

Cueto (18-9) pitched six shutout innings as the Reds completed a three-game sweep. Alfredo Simon got four outs for his first save.

The Reds broke a scoreless tie by getting five straight singles off Manuel Corpas (0-2) in the seventh during a five-run rally capped by Henry Rodriguez’s two-run double.

Nationals 4, Dodgers 1

WA S H I N GTON— Th e Washington Nationals brought postseason baseball back to the nation’s capital for the first time since 1933, clinching a playoff spot with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Nationals ensured at least an NL wild-card spot behind Ross Detwiler’s six strong innings and Ryan Zimmerman’s RBI double.

Cardinals 5, Astros 4

ST. LOUIS—Pinch-hitter Carlos Beltran snapped a sixthinning tie with a two-run double and Allen Craig hit a three-run homer, powering the Cardinals to a season sweep at home against the Astros.

Beltran’s double put St. Louis up 5-3, rewarding Jaime Garcia (5-7) for keeping it close against the lowly Astros, who absorbed their 102nd loss while leading for a single inning in the three-game series.

Bud Norris (5-13) allowed five runs in 5 1-3 innings for Houston after getting sent back to the team hotel Wednesday night suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Jason Motte finished for his 38th save in 45 chances.