Nats, Rays climb in wild-card race

WASHINGTON — Patrick Corbin pitched six effective innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 on Monday night to strengthen their playoff positioning.

Adam Eaton, Yan Gomes and Trea Turner homered for Washington, which moved a half-game ahead of idle Milwaukee for the top spot in the wild-card standings. The Nationals reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three.

Philadelphia was pushed to the brink of elimination after beginning the season with great expectations after signing ex-Washington slugger Bryce Harper to a blockbuster deal. The Phillies have to win their final seven games while Milwaukee or Washington loses out to have any hope of reaching the wild-card game.

Corbin (14-7) matched his career high for wins in the first season of a $140 million, six-year contract. He allowed one run and three hits, struck out six and walked four.

Corbin elicited his loudest cheer of the night when he struck out Harper to end the third. The former Nationals star, who is playing his third series in Washington since joining the Phillies in March, was booed before each of his plate appearances. He went 1-for-3 with a walk.

RAYS 7, RED SOX 4: Ji-Man Choi, Brandon Lowe and Willy Adames homered during Tampa Bay’s six-run fourth inning, and the Rays moved into sole possession of the second AL wild card by rallying for a win over visiting Boston. The Rays hold a half-game lead over Cleveland, which had the day off.

CARDINALS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 7: Paul Goldschmidt homered in his return to Arizona, Yadier Molina homered and had four RBIs, and St. Louis beat the host Diamondbacks to reduce its magic number for clinching the NL Central to three games. The Cardinals, who clinched a postseason spot Sunday, increased their lead in the Central to 3½ games over idle Milwaukee.

MARLINS 8, METS 4: Steven Matz allowed two homers to Jorge Alfaro, including a grand slam, and Miami dimmed host New York’s fading playoff hopes. Amed Rosario cut into Miami’s big lead with his own slam, but the Mets fell five games behind idle Milwaukee for the final NL playoff spot with six games left.

BLUE JAYS 11, ORIOLES 10: Anthony Alford hit a gameending drive in the 15th inning for his first career homer, and host Toronto beat Baltimore.