Nationals, Blue Jays Claim Playoff Wins

By ESPN

Leave it to little-used, light-hitting Jose Lobaton to change the complexion of the Washington Nationals' NL Division Series with one big swing.

Getting a rare chance to play because of starting catcher Wilson Ramos' late-September injury, backup Lobaton hit a three-run homer through a strong wind to erase an early deficit Sunday. Daniel Murphy provided more-expected production with two RBI, and Washington's bullpen threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, leading the Nationals past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 in a rain-postponed Game 2 to even the series at 1-all.

"I've got to try to do something for the team," said Lobaton, who had one hit off a left-handed pitcher all season before connecting with a curveball that stayed up from LA lefty Rich Hill with two outs in the fourth inning.

"And I'm not saying that I'm going to be like Willy and hit a homer and hit .300. Play hard every day, no matter who is in and who is not," he said.

After dropping Game 1, the Nationals trailed 2-0 when Hill allowed No. 8 hitter Lobaton to put the hosts ahead for good.

"One bad pitch to a guy that I don't think anybody really thought was going to be that guy to hurt us," said Josh Reddick, who drove in a run for LA in the third off Tanner Roark after Corey Seager hit his second first-inning homer of the NLDS. "But that's what happens, and anybody can be the guy in the postseason."

Hard to imagine Lobaton would be The Guy, though.

Didn't even start the playoff opener, sitting behind rookie Pedro Severino, who had played all of 18 games in the majors.

Plus, Lobaton batted only .232 in 99 at-bats in 2016 overall, although his lone hit in 15 at-bats against left-handers coming into Sunday was also a homer, and also against the Dodgers -- off Scott Kazmir in July.

This one put the Nationals ahead 3-2, finally getting to Hill -- who went 4 1/3 innings -- in the unlikeliest of ways. After a walk and two quick outs, he plunked Danny Espinosa for the second time; Washington's shortstop has struck out in his other five NLDS plate appearances.

Blue Jays 7, Rangers 6

Josh Donaldson's mad dash moved the Blue Jays into the next round of the playoffs.

Donaldson raced home from second base after Rougned Odor bounced a double-play relay in the 10th inning and Toronto beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Sunday night to sweep their AL Division Series.

Donaldson, the reigning AL MVP, led off the 10th with a double into the right-center field gap and Matt Bush intentionally walked Edwin Encarnacion.

After Jose Bautista struck out, Russell Martin hit a grounder to shortstop Elvis Andrus, who tried to start a double play with a feed to second base. After making the turn, second baseman Odor short-hopped his throw to first baseman Mitch Moreland and the ball skipped away, allowing Donaldson to sprint home and beat Moreland's throw with a dive across the plate.

"I was at third base when the throw was being made," Donaldson said. "Once I saw (Moreland) miss the pick, I felt like I had to take a chance right there."

The wild-card Blue Jays are headed back to the AL Championship Series after beating Texas in an ALDS for a second straight year and will face the winner of the Cleveland-Boston series. The Indians lead 2-0, with Game 3 scheduled for Monday following a postponement Sunday.

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro, who spent 24 years with Cleveland before joining Toronto last fall, said he'd already reached out to one former Indians colleague about a potential ALCS meeting.

Sunday, October 9 Scoreboard

Washington 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

NLDS --  Game 2

Toronto 7, Texas 6 (F/10)

ALDS -- Game 3

Cleveland at Boston, Postponed

ALDS -- Game 3

Monday, October 10 Schedule (All Times Central)

Washington at Los Angeles Dodgers, 3 p.m.

NLDS -- Game 3

Cleveland at Boston, 5 p.m.

ADLS -- Game 3

Chicago Cubs at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

NLDS -- Game 3

Tuesday, October 11 Schedule (All Times Central)

Cleveland at Boston, TBD

ALDS -- Game 4

Washington at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at San Francisco, 7:30 p.m.

NLDS -- Game 4

Wednesday, October 12 Schedule (Time Central)

Boston at Cleveland, 5 p.m.

ALDS -- Game 5

Thursday, October 13 Schedule (All Times Central)

Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington, 4 p.m.

NLDS --  Game 5

San Francisco at Chicago Cubs, 7:30 p.m.

NLDS --  Game 5

Friday, October 14

No games scheduled