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Nationals beat Braves to clinch second NL East title in three years

In a span of 58 days, the Washington Nationals turned a tight National League East race into a cakewalk. The Nats got seven shutout innings from Tanner Roark, along with a two-run homer by Ian Desmond in a 3-0 victory against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night that clinched Washington's second division title in three years. The Nats, who were tied with the Braves for the NL East lead July 21, put away Atlanta with 12 games to play in the season.

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Washington celebrated at Turner Field by whoopin' and hollerin', and pouring champagne and beer, like teams that clinch are wont to do. Bryce Harper wore a firefighter's helmet and goggles. There was a sense of relief and accomplishment, but also of goals not yet achieved. Nats reliever Craig Stammen is one of the players who was with the club in 2012, a season that ended bitterly with a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the NL Division Series.

The Braves, who faced a tough task from the get-go after losing several players to injury before and during the start of the season, faded by losing 11 of 14. The Braves are 5 1/2 games behind the Pirates for a wild card spot with 11 to play. Atlanta finished 10 games ahead of the Nats in the 2013 race. 

''You never want anybody to celebrate on your field,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''But they did it professionally, I thought. I didn't expect anything less from that organization.''

Desmond hit his 23rd homer to break a scoreless tie in the sixth against Aaron Harang, and Roark lowered his ERA to 2.85. Drew Storen continued to provide stability in the ninth inning by getting his seventh save.

 

With the Baltimore Orioles clinching the AL East title at Camden Yards, there's a chance of an all-Beltway World Series. One of the Nats owners, Mark Lerner, was asked about the possibility:

Watch Nats manager Matt Williams deliver a victory speech:

 

More MLB coverage at Yahoo Sports: 

 

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David Brown is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rdbrown@yahoo-inc.com and follow him on Twitter!

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