ATLANTA (AP) - Pete Orr hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth
inning and the Washington Nationals beat Atlanta 2-1 on Thursday
night, hours after the Braves were eliminated from playoff
contention.
      Orr's one-out single to left field drove in Ryan Zimmerman, who
opened the ninth with a double off Rafael Soriano (1-6).
      The little drama remaining in Atlanta's late playoff push ended
about an before the game when Colorado clinched at least the NL
wild card with a 9-2 win over Milwaukee.
      Tyler Clippard (4-2) pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings for
Washington but was lifted with two outs in the ninth. Clippard
walked Yunel Escobar, who advanced to third on Ryan Church's
single.
      Mike MacDougal earned his 19th save when pinch-hitter Omar
Infante grounded out.
     
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