The Nationals moved closer to the NL East title with a 4-2 win over the Braves on Monday night, thanks in part to Stephen Strasburg's dominant performance.
MLB playoffs standings: Stephen Strasburg puts Nationals on brink of playoffs
The Nationals moved one step closer to their second NL East title in three seasons.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Strasburg allowed only five hits and no runs over seven innings, while striking out seven Braves batters and walking none. The outing lowered his ERA to 3.34 on the season and, more importantly, put the Nats on the brink of their second division title in three years.
The Nationals got on the board courtesy of Denard Span's RBI double in the third inning, and later added to their lead on a solo home run by Wilson Ramos and RBI singles from Strasburg and Nate Schierholtz.
Washington can clinch the NL East with a win over Atlanta on Tuesday.
American League
| Division | Team | W-L | Pct | GB |
| ALW | Angels | 94-56 | .627 | --- |
| ALE | Orioles | 90-60 | .600 | --- |
| ALC | Tigers | 84-66 | .560 | --- |
| WC1 | Athletics | 83-66 | .557 | +1 |
| WC2 | Royals | 82-67 | .550 | --- |
| Mariners | 80-69 | .537 | 2 | |
| Blue Jays | 77-72 | .517 | 5 | |
| Indians | 76-73 | .510 | 6 | |
| Yankees | 76-73 | .510 | 6 | |
| Rays | 73-78 | .483 | 10 | |
| White Sox | 68-82 | .453 | 14½ | |
| Astros | 67-83 | .447 | 15½ | |
| Red Sox | 66-84 | .440 | 16½ | |
| Twins | 63-87 | .420 | 19½ | |
| Rangers | 57-92 | .383 | 25 |
National League
| Division | Team | W-L | Pct | GB |
| NLE | Nationals | 86-63 | .577 | --- |
| NLW | Dodgers | 86-64 | .573 | --- |
| NLC | Cardinals | 83-67 | .553 | --- |
| WC1 | Giants | 82-68 | .547 | +3 |
| WC2 | Pirates | 79-70 | .530 | --- |
| Brewers | 78-72 | .520 | 1½ | |
| Braves | 75-75 | .500 | 4½ | |
| Marlins | 73-76 | .490 | 6 | |
| Mets | 72-79 | .477 | 8 | |
| Reds | 71-80 | .470 | 9 | |
| Padres | 69-80 | .463 | 10 | |
| Phillies | 69-81 | .460 | 10½ | |
| Cubs | 66-84 | .440 | 13½ | |
| Diamondbacks | 62-88 | .413 | 17½ | |
| Rockies | 59-91 | .393 | 20 |
Notables
- Considering how well Strasburg has pitched the last few weeks, the Nationals' playoff rotation is starting to look that much more formidable:
Strasburg's last 4 starts: 1.69 ERA, 26.2 IP, 0 BB, 28 K. And this while approaching (and now surpassing) 200 IP for 1st time in career.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) September 16, 2014 - Jose Altuve added three more hits to his MLB-leading tally of 209 this season, but if you think that's impressive, just remember how many hits Ichiro had back in 2004:
I'm very excited for Altuve. Please don't get me wrong. But consider this a friendly reminder that Ichiro had 262 GODDAMN HITS in 2004.
— David G Temple (@davidgtemple) September 16, 2014 - After getting picked off in a crucial situation against the Tigers last week, Jarrod Dyson pinch ran for the Royals in the ninth inning Monday and scored from second base on a wild pitch to tie the game. The Royals went on to win, 4-3, and Dyson turned from villain to hero:
YOU'RE FORGIVEN JARROD! ALL IS FORGIVEN!
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) September 16, 2014
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