WHEATON, Md. — The Washington Nationals clinched the National East Division title Saturday, securing a first place finish for the third time in five years.
The Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 at PNC Park and officially clinched the division title less than a half hour later when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 10-8 at Citi Field in New York.
Washington’s three division titles have come under the watch of three different managers. Davey Johnson led the Nats to a first-place finish in 2012, Matt Williams was the club’s skipper in 2014, while Dusty Baker has been in charge in 2016.
The Nationals will now try to secure homefield advantage for the National League Division Series. Washington entered play Saturday a game-and-a-half clear of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second best record in the NL.
