Dominic Smith of the Mets smashes into the outfield wall while chasing a fly ball that went for an inside-the-park home run by Washington’s Andrew Stevenson during the first game of a doubleheader Saturday. Washington won both games. Nick Wass/Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The New York Mets were eliminated from playoff contention in a mistake-filled 4-3 loss to the Nationals in the opener of a doubleheader on Saturday, and not much changed in the nightcap as an error extended a big inning for Washington, which won 5-3 to sweep the twinbill.
Entering Saturday, the Mets (26-33) needed to win their three remaining games and receive help from multiple teams to sneak into the final wild-card spot in the expanded playoffs. Instead, New York is in danger of finishing tied with Washington (25-34) in the NL East cellar.
BREWERS 3, CARDINALS 0: Brandon Woodruff allowed two hits in eight innings and Milwaukee kept its playoff hopes alive with a win at St. Louis.
Woodruff (3-5) retired 19 straight after pitching around leadoff hits in the first and second innings as Milwaukee (29-30) moved within a game of St. Louis (29-28). Both teams are among four NL clubs vying for two open postseason spots.
TWINS 7, REDS 3: Luis Arraez matched career highs with four hits and three RBI in his return to the lineup, and Minnesota won at home to clinch home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Minnesota maintained its one-game lead in the AL Central over the Chicago White Sox.
WHITE SIX 9, CUBS 5: Yoan Moncada homered, José Abreu hit a three-run double and the White Sox won at home, snapping a season-high six-game losing streak.
Despite the loss, the Cubs won the NL Central title when St. Louis lost to Milwaukee.
PIRATES 8, INDIANS 0: Cleveland suffered a setback in its bid to host a first-round playoff series, as Joe Musgrove struck out 10 in seven innings to earn his first win over the season for visiting Pittsburgh.
The Indians fell one game behind the Chicago White Sox for second place in the AL Central and were eliminated from the division title race when Minnesota beat Cincinnati.
RAYS 4, PHILLIES 3: Mike Zunino, Brandon Lowe and Willy Adames hit two-out, run-scoring singles in the fifth inning, and Tampa Bay damaged visiting Philadelphia’s postseason hopes.
YANKEES 11, MARLINS 4: DJ LeMahieu moved into position to become the first player to earn undisputed batting titles in both leagues, Luke Voit hit his major league-leading 22nd homer and New York rediscovered its power in a win over visiting Miami.
LeMahieu posted his fourth four-hit game and three RBI while raising his average to .359, passing Washington’s Juan Soto (.351) for the major league lead and opening a large margin over defending AL batting champion Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox, who began the day in second in the AL at .337.
MARINERS SWEEP ATHLETICS: Kyle Seager homered in both games, and J.P. Crawford hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning of Game 1 as visiting Seattle swept a doubleheader, 5-1 and 12-3.
BLUE JAYS 5, ORIOLES 2: Cavan Biggio broke up a no-hit bid with a solo home run in the sixth inning, Randal Grichuk added a three-run shot and Toronto won in Buffalo, New York.
RANGERS 6, ASTROS 1: Jeff Mathis hit a tie-breaking, three-run home run in the seventh inning and Leody Taveras followed with a solo blast as Texas won at home.
TIGERS 4, ROYALS 3: Niko Goodrum and Austin Romine keyed a three-run first inning, and Detroit won at Kansas City.
ROCKIES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 3: Elias Diaz and Ryan McMahon each hit two-run homers, German Márquez threw seven impressive innings and Colorado won at Phoenix.
NOTES
GIANTS: San Francisco released veteran right-hander Jeff Samardzija, a day after he returned from a lengthy shoulder injury and rehab.
Samardzija, 35, was designated for assignment and placed on unconditional release waivers days before his contract was to expire.
• Four-time All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence announced his retirement following 14 major league seasons.
A career .279 hitter, Pence had 244 home runs and 942 RBI playing for Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Texas. The Giants released him last month.
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