MLB Wrap: Nats, Orioles clinch division crowns

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ATLANTA -- The Washington Nationals are again champions of the NL East, wrapping up their second division title in three years against the team that knocked them out of the top spot last season.

Tanner Roark pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, Ian Desmond's two-run homer broke a scoreless tie, and the Nationals celebrated another trip to the playoffs with a 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

The clinching victory was especially sweet coming against the Braves, who finished 10 games ahead of the Nationals in 2013. The roles were reserved this season as Washington steadily pulled away from the feeble Braves down the stretch.

Atlanta lost for the 11th time in 14 games, further damaging its hopes of making a third straight playoff appearance as a wild card (see full recap).

Orioles win AL East for first time since 1997
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles won their first AL East crown since 1997, using home runs by Steve Pearce and Jimmy Paredes to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 Tuesday night before a boisterous crowd of 35,297 at Camden Yards.

With their ninth win in 10 games, the Orioles clinched their second playoff appearance in three years following a run of 14 consecutive losing seasons.

Afterward, the Orioles converged behind second base, fireworks soared in the outfield and streamers sprayed throughout the crowd.

It was Baltimore's ninth AL East title and only its second since 1983, when the Orioles last won the World Series.

The franchise has enjoyed a rebirth under the guidance of manager Buck Showalter, whose 1,254th victory thrust him past mentor Billy Martin into sole possession of 36th place on the career list (see full recap).

Pirates shut out Red Sox
PITTSBURGH -- Charlie Morton came off the disabled list to gain his first victory since July 2, and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-0 Tuesday night for their ninth win in 11 games.

Sidelined since Aug. 16 because of right hip inflammation and a sports hernia, Morton (6-12) allowed four hits in five innings, struck out six and walked two. He had been 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in his eight previous starts.

Five relievers combined on three-hit relief, completing the Pirates' eighth shutout this season. Boston has been blanked 15 times,

Pittsburgh entered 1 games ahead of Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card and 3 games behind St. Louis, the NL Central leader. The Cardinals hosted the Brewers on Tuesday night (see full recap).

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