Indians eliminated minutes after losing to Nats
Gerardo Parra had three hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs as the host Washington Nationals defeated the Indians 8-2 on Friday night, and Cleveland was eliminated from playoff contention shortly after the defeat.
When the Rays (96-64) completed a 6-2 win over the host Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay wrapped up the final American League playoff berth. The Oakland A's (96-63) clinched one of the two AL wild cards when Cleveland (93-67) lost its third game in a row.
Washington (91-69) earned its sixth straight win and ensured it would at least maintain its one-game lead over the Brewers for the top spot in the National League wild-card race. Milwaukee was playing later Friday night at Colorado.
Parra hit a solo homer, a two-run double and a sacrifice fly. Trea Turner's two-run homer capped a five-run sixth inning for Washington, which has won eight of nine.
Washington starter Austin Voth (2-1) allowed two runs on two hits over six innings, striking out five without a walk. The Indians managed just three hits total against four Washington pitchers.
Cleveland reliever Nick Goody (3-2) pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed four runs. Starter Zach Plesac was lifted after five innings and 74 pitches. He gave up two runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
The Nationals broke on top in the second inning. Howie Kendrick singled with one out, Kurt Suzuki singled with two outs, and Parra lined a double to right to make it 2-0.
Cleveland quickly tied it in the third. Greg Allen led off with a single, and Ryan Flaherty doubled him home. After Plesac sacrificed Flaherty to third, Francisco Lindor hit a sacrifice fly to center.
In the sixth, the Nationals loaded the bases with one out and Parra's sacrifice fly made it 3-2. Pinch hitter Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a line-drive double to right, scoring Matt Adams and Suzuki.
Cabrera has 39 RBIs in 37 games since joining the Nationals last month.
Turner followed with his 19th home run of the season to make it 7-2.
Parra closed out the scoring with a homer, his eighth, in the eighth inning.
Hunter Strickland, Wander Suero and Tanner Rainey each threw a scoreless inning to close out Washington's win.
--Field Level Media
