UNDATED (AP) — Rookie Michael Wacha (WAH'-kah) came within one out of a no-hitter while helping the St. Louis Cardinals take another step toward one more National League Central crown.

Ryan Zimmerman spoiled the gem with an infield single, but the Cardinals held on for a 2-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals. Wacha allowed just the one hit and two walks while striking out nine over 8 2/3 innings.

Trevor Rosenthal got the final out to preserve the Cards' 93rd win of the season.

Shane Robinson put the Redbirds ahead with an RBI single in the bottom of the third, one inning after Yadier (YAH'-dee-her) Molina added a run-scoring double.

The outcome keeps the Cardinals two games ahead of Pittsburgh in the division race.

The Pirates were 8-2 winners over the Chicago Cubs as Pedro Alvarez doubled twice and had three RBIs. Jordy Mercer added a solo homer to back Gerrit Cole, who gave up two runs in six innings.

The Cardinals are three-games ahead of Cincinnati following the Reds' 4-2 loss to the New York Mets. Daniel Murphy hit a three-run homer in the second inning to support Jonathon Niese, who held the Reds to two runs over seven frames.

The Detroit Tigers have clinched an American League playoff berth while cutting their magic number for winning the AL Central to one. Victor Martinez, Omar Infante (ihn-FAHN'-tay) and Austin Jackson homered during a four-run fourth as the Tigers beat the Twins 4-2 in Minnesota. Doug Fister is 14-9 after allowing two runs and eight hits while striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings.

Tampa Bay clobbered the New York Yankees 7-0, keeping the Rays one game ahead of Cleveland for the first wild-card slot. James Loney hit a two-run double and David DeJesus had two RBIs to back Matt Moore's five shutout innings.

Hiroki Kuroda (hih-ROH'-kee kuh-ROH'-duh) was reached for five runs over 5 2/3s as the Yankees moved to the brink of elimination.

Jason Giambi (jee-AHM'-bee) launched a pinch-hit, two-run homer with two out in the bottom of the ninth to give the Indians a valuable 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. The walkoff blast came a half-inning after Perez surrendered solo homers by Dayan Viciedo (DY'-an vih-see-EH'-doh) and Alejandro De Aza, putting the White Sox ahead 4-3.

Michael Brantley hit a solo homer and an RBI single before scoring on Giambi's ninth homer of the season.

The outcome keeps the Indians one game ahead of Texas for the final wild-card berth.

The Rangers kept pace with the Indians by downing Houston 3-2. Yu Darvish struck out nine and gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings for his 14th win. Adrian Beltre (BEHL'-tray) hit a solo homer and scored on Geovany Soto's (jee-oh-VAH'-nee SOH'-tohz) RBI single.

Elsewhere in the majors, Baltimore eliminated itself from postseason contention with a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Toronto. Mark DeRosa supplied the tying and winning singles after Brian Roberts and Nate McLouth hit solo homers in the third inning to put the Orioles ahead 2-1.

Andrelton (AN'-drehl-tuhn) Simmons delivered a walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth to give Atlanta a 3-2 win over Milwaukee. Freddy Garcia helped the Braves remain the National League's top team, allowing two runs and six hits while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings.

Philadelphia scored first-inning runs on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI grounder, just enough offense to beat Miami 2-1 and send the Marlins to their 100th loss. Zack Miner worked the first four innings and combined with four relievers on a six-hitter.

Charlie Blackmon, Troy Tulowitzki (too-loh-WITS'-kee) and Corey Dickerson homered in Colorado's 8-3 thrashing of Boston. Tyler Chatwood worked seven strong innings to outpitch John Lackey, who's 1-5 on the road since the All-Star break.

Boston still owns sole possession of the AL's top record after the Los Angeles Angels knocked off Oakland 3-0. Jason Vargas went the distance on a four-hitter for the Angels.

Kansas City has damaged its playoff hopes by falling 4-0 at Seattle. Justin Smoak hit a three-run homer and James Paxton struck out 10 while allowing just four hits and no walks in seven innings. The outcome drops the Royals' tragic number to two for elimination in the wild-card race.

Hyun-Jin Ryu was terrific in the Dodgers' 2-1 win at San Francisco, limiting the Giants to a run and four hits in seven innings. The Los Angeles runs came on solo homers by Yasiel Puig (YAH'-see-ul pweeg) and Matt Kemp.

Didi Gregorius tripled home Chris Owings in the 12th inning to carry Arizona past San Diego 2-1. Paul Goldschmidt smacked his 36th home run for the Diamondbacks.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Masterson will return to the Indians for the post-season push but be used out of the bullpen. The Cleveland ace has been sidelined since Sept. 2 with a strained oblique muscle, but has been cleared to pitch. He could be on the mound as early as Wednesday night against Chicago as the Indians try to hold onto one of the AL's two wild-card spots.

It is unlikely Masterson will start again this year unless the Indians play deep into October. Manager Terry Francona said it will be nice to have the right-hander as an option out of the bullpen as Cleveland tries to clinch its first playoff appearance since 2007.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles say third baseman Manny Machado could be running again in six to eight weeks after tearing a left knee ligament in yesterday's 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay.

The Orioles initially feared Machado had torn his ACL, which would have caused him to miss the start of next season. But an MRI showed his ACL and MCL are fine.

The 21-year-old Machado had played in every game this season and was an integral part of team's success. He ends his season with a .283 average, 14 homers, 71 RBIs and 51 doubles.

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