The Washington, D.C. area will enjoy playoff baseball for the first time in 79 years. On Thursday, the Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1, at Nationals Park, making this the first time the team will play in the postseason since relocating to the Nation's capital in 2005 by clinching at least a NL Wild Card spot.

Washington starter Ross Detwiler was perfect during three innings, until he gave up his first hit: a solo home run by Mark Ellis. However, Washington was leading 2-0 before Ellis hit his blast.

Afterwards, the Nationals practically had the game in cruise control. After six superb innings by Detwiler, Ryan Mattheus was the only one out of three Nats relievers to allow a hit. Drew Storen got his third save of the year by striking out the side in the top of the ninth.

The Nationals' predecessors in Washington, the Senators, played in the 1933 World Series but lost to the New York Giants 4-1. The only playoff appearance the Montreal Expos made before leaving for Washington came in 1981.