Ronald Acuna Jr’s two-run double highlighted a four-run seventh-inning rally on Saturday that sparked visiting Atlanta to a 10-1 win over the Washington Nationals - and propelled the Braves into the playoffs.
While the win reduced Atlanta’s magic number for clinching the National League East to four, it also ensured the Braves will at worst get one the NL’s two wild-card spots. The Braves (93-57) increased their division lead to 10 1/2 games over the Nationals (81-66). The Braves have won 13 of their last 16 and are 11-7 against the Nationals.
After reliever Fernando Rodney entered the game and struck out Adam Duvall, Acuna hit a sharp double to left on the first pitch he saw that easily scored pinch runner Billy Hamilton and Dansby Swanson. It was the only hit for Acuna, who has 97 RBIs. Acuna then scored when Ozzie Albies - who was 3-for-4 - clubbed his 42nd double. Three batters later, Nick Markakis singled in Albies.
Mike Foltynewicz (6-6) continued to pitch well since his return from the minor leagues. The right-hander worked six innings and allowed one run on four hits, one walk and five strikeouts. Foltynewicz has allowed only two runs in his last 18 innings. The Braves have won his last 11 starts. Washington starter Austin Voth pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Three Washington relievers combined to allow nine runs over the final 3 1/3 innings.
The Nationals scored a run in the first when Anthony Rendon delivered his 43rd double to right field, easily allowing Trea Turner to score. The Braves tied the game with a run in the sixth. Albies singled and scored on a two-out single by Markakis, who went 4-for-5 and has six hits in two games since missing 44 games with a fractured left wrist.
The seventh-inning rally began when Wander Suero (5-8) walked Brian McCann and Swanson to start the inning. The Nationals called in Rodney from the bullpen, and his inside pitch hit Charlie Culberson below the right cheek. But home plate umpire Tim Timmons ruled Culberson had offered at the pitch while attempting to bunt, which resulted in a strike rather than a hit batter. The decision incensed Atlanta manager Brian Snitker, who was ejected for arguing.Duvall replaced Culberson and finished the at-bat, striking out before Acuna’s big hit. Culberson was carted off the field and taken to the hospital, but Snitker said he was alert and responsive.

Astros’ Greinke beats Royals for 1st time, makes history
Zack Greinke pitched six strong innings to become the 19th pitcher to defeat all 30 major league teams, as the Houston Astros beat the host Kansas City Royals 6-1 Saturday night. Kyle Tucker had four hits, including the go-ahead single in the sixth inning for the Astros.
Houston (97-53) saw its magic number to clinch the American League West reduced to six. Oakland beat Texas later Saturday, but Houston maintained a 7 1/2-game lead over the A’s.
Greinke (16-5) allowed one run on six hits. The former Royals first-round pick (sixth overall) in 2002 struck out seven and didn’t walk anyone. He is the third Astro to reach 16 wins this season. Mike Montgomery (3-9) took the loss. He gave up two runs on five hits in five-plus innings. He struck out one and walked five.
“I had planned on using the curve, and it was pretty good at the start, so I used it a little more than I planned on,” said Greinke, who won the American League Cy Young Award with the Royals in 2009.
“It’s one of my better pitches, so I thought it would be a good option. I just threw what was called for the most part. I thought everything was good today, except for a couple of mistakes.”
The Royals opened the scoring in the third inning, as Whit Merrifield drove home Nicky Lopez with an RBI double to the wall in left centre. Lopez was originally ruled out at the plate, but the call was reversed after the Royals challenged. Merrifield went to third on the throw and was there with no outs, but Greinke retired the next three hitters and stranded him. Alex Bregman tied it in the fourth with his 36th home run, just over Alex Gordon’s glove and into the first row in left field. The Astros put runners on second and third with one out, but Montgomery retired the next two batters.
Houston took the lead in the sixth after a walk to Bregman and back-to-back singles by Yuli Gurriel and Tucker to start the inning. An error on Lopez at second loaded the bases and ended the night for Montgomery.
Reliever Tim Hill came in and got a strikeout, popout and flyout to leave the bases loaded.
The Astros scored three runs in the eighth on a three-run, pinch-hit home run by Yordan Alvarez. It was the first pinch-hit home run for Alvarez, and the first runs allowed in the majors by reliever Gabe Speier. Houston added a run in the ninth for the final margin.