N.L. Playoff Races: Monday-Morning Update

Brewers 6, Nationals 2: The Nationals once again failed to reduce their magic number for clinching the NL East, as they lost while the Braves won. Sunday, Yovani Gallardo threw five good innings and Jonathan Lucroy drove in a pair of runs to help the Brewers keep pace with the Cardinals in the race for the NL's second wild card. Ryan Braun drove in a run to remain tied with Chase Headley on top of the NL RBI list with 108.

Braves 2, Phillies 1: The Braves' magic number for clinching the first NL wild card was reduced to five with the win, but they also sneaked to within 4½ games of the NL East lead. It's a longshot, because the Braves and Nats don't play again, but Atlanta is hot; the win was their seventh in their last nine tries. Sunday, Tim Hudson hurled 7½ innings, allowing just one unearned run, and defeated the Phillies' Cliff Lee. Hudson posted his 16th win; David Ross homered for the winners, and Craig Kimbrel recorded his 39th save.

Cardinals 6, Cubs 3: Kyle Lohse also won his 16th game of the season; the underrated Cardinals starter also ranks third in the National League with a 2.77 ERA. He was supported by Allen Craig, who had three hits and two RBI as part of a 12-hit St. Louis attack. The Cardinals won two of three from their division rivals to maintain their lead for the second wild card.

Dodgers 5, Reds 3: The day after they clinched the NL Central title, the Reds gave many of their regulars the night off, even against another playoff contender. The Dodgers touched up Homer Bailey for all five runs in 6½ innings, including a pair of home runs from Adrian Gonzalez. Hanley Ramirez fouled a ball off his shin; he stayed in the game to complete his at-bat, in which he eventually singled, but was replaced by pinch-runner Dee Gordon. X-rays were negative and Ramirez expects to play Tuesday, when the Dodgers open a three-game series at San Diego.

Padres 6, Giants 4: The Giants also rested virtually all of their starters -- and their starting rotation, too, giving the start to Yusmeiro Petit -- the day after their division-clinching victory over San Diego. Sunday, they fell short against the visitors, although a pinch-hit groundout by Buster Posey scored a run in the bottom of the ninth; San Francisco left the bases loaded as the game ended with a Ryan Theriot fly out to center field.

Diamondbacks 10, Rockies 7: Arizona won their third straight at Colorado; the D'backs have scored 33 runs in the first three games of the series, and won six of their last seven to stay on the fringes of the wild-card race. Sunday's 16-hit attack was led by Aaron Hill, who had three hits, including his 24th home run, and three RBI. Catcher Wil Nieves went 4-for-5 against the beleaguered Rox pitching staff. Arizona is 11-5 since September 4.

Up Next: The Diamondbacks/Rockies and Brewers/Nationals series wrap around the weekend and conclude Monday. The Cardinals, in the lead for the second wild card spot, open a three-game series against the Astros at Houston; the Cards swept the Astros in St. Louis last week, but Houston plays better at home (they're 7-5 at Minute Maid Park in September). The rest of the remaining NL contenders have Monday off.