National League

Reds 3, Cardinals 1: Mat Latos won his fourth consecutive decision to finish the regular season and Scott Rolen homered off Chris Carpenter, helping Cincinnati keep the St. Louis postseason plans on hold with a win at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals’ magic number for clinching the second wild card remained at one with a game to go, and they were left in the uncomfortable position of watching the Dodgers on television and rooting for a loss for the second night. Los Angeles, which began the day two games back with two remaining, played at home against the Giants later.

Nationals 4, Phillies 2: Adam LaRoche hit his career-high 33rd homer to become the third Washington player with 100 RBIs this season for the East champion Nationals in the victory against visiting Philadelphia. When the Nationals Park gates opened the crowd of 33,546 was treated to a video montage of the celebration of a night earlier, when the home team clinched its first division title since moving from Montreal in 2005.

Brewers 4, Padres 3: Rookie Martin Maldonado hit a grand slam as Milwaukee used 10 newcomers in beating visiting San Diego.

Marlins 4, Mets 3: New York knuckleballer R.A. Dickey struck out one-shot wonder Adam Greenberg, but also gave up two homers in his final start of the season as the Mets lost in Miami in 11 innings.

Astros 3, Cubs 0: Bud Norris pitched six shutout innings and Jason Castro homered as visiting Houston beat Chicago.