Washington to host wild-card contest

Washington

The Nationals assured themselves of playing host to the NL wild-card game by holding on to beat the already-eliminated Cleveland Indians 10-7 Saturday with the help of a grand slam in a nine-run second inning from Gerardo Parra, whose dugout dancing and "Baby Shark" walk-up music have become trademarks of Washington's turnaround.

Nationals Park will be the site of a win-or-go-home game Tuesday night between Washington, which will send Max Scherzer to the mound, and either the St. Louis Cardinals or Milwaukee Brewers. One of those clubs will be the NL Central champion; the other will be the league's second wild-card entry.

Asked before Saturday's game about the importance of clinching home-field advantage, Scherzer said: "Would it be nice? Yes. But is it imperative? No. We're ready to play anybody, anywhere."

Washington won its seventh in a row, the longest run this season for a team that was 19-31 before heading in the right direction.

Dodgers 2, Giants 0: Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched seven sharp innings and Los Angeles posted its 105th win to match the highest total in franchise history. The NL West champions won their sixth straight and tied the win mark of the 1953 team based in Brooklyn. The Dodgers began the day one game behind Houston for MLB's best record and one game ahead of the Yankees.

Blue Jays 4, Rays 1: Tampa Bay managed just three hits and lost to Toronto, damaging the Rays' chances of hosting the AL wild-card game. The Rays could still host the game if the Athletics lose their final two and the Rays beat the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Twins 4, Royals 3: Minnesota lost third baseman Luis Arraez to an apparent right leg injury in the seventh inning. He collided with first baseman Willians Astudillo while chasing Hunter Dozier's pop fly at the mound....