MLB wrap: Nationals secure home-field advantage in NL wild-card game

Alexis Mansanarez

MLB wrap: Nationals secure home-field advantage in NL wild-card game image

The Nationals now have a crucial advantage in the National League wild-card game.

After a 10-7 win against the already-eliminated Indians, they will host the postseason contest at the beginning of October.

Gerardo Parra hit a grand slam in a whopping nine-run second inning to highlight the victory, which is Washington's seventh consecutive win.

"I don't have to go home and pack," manager Dave Martinez said after the game, via ESPN. "Nice to stay at home. The boys wanted to stay at home, so they came out and swung the bats."

Parra finished 2 of 4 on the night, along with Ryan Zimmerman.

Daniel Hudson earned the win after pitching one hitless inning.

Adam Plutko got tagged with the loss.

Studs of the Night

Pete Alonso hit his 53rd home run Saturday, which is more than any rookie in MLB history. The Mets beat the Braves 3-0.

Justin Verlander struck out his 3,000th batter Saturday to become just the 18th pitcher all-time to reach the milestone.

Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched seven solid innings as the Dodgers got their 105th win. He allowed five hits while striking out seven in the 2-0 win over the Giants.

Duds of the Night

Tampa Bay recorded only three hits against Toronto. The Rays had seven starters lay goose eggs in the 4-1 loss including Austin Meadows, Jesus Aguilar and Nate Lowe, who all went 0 for 4.

Edwin Jackson gave up three runs on four hits in just three innings of work in the Tigers' 7-1 loss to the White Sox.

Highlights

What else do you expect from Jorge Soler? (P.S. This was his second home run of the game.)

Jonathan Villar has power and speed.

What's Next? 

Brewers (89-72) at Rockies (70-91), 3:10 p.m. ET — Sunday marks the last day of the regular season and there's a lot a stake. One of the biggest games will be a must-win contest for the Brewers. They trail the Cardinals by one game after losing Saturday. A Brewers win along with a Cardinals loss will put the two teams in a tie for first place in the NL Central, which would force Game 163.

Alexis Mansanarez