Robles under the weather, Suzuki feeling good after Saturday start (Nats win 10-7)

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Victor Robles was a late scratch for today's game, Game 2 of the series against the Indians, because his young center fielder was under the weather. Veteran Gerardo Parra takes Robles' place in center field, batting seventh.

"He's sick. We got a lot of guys sick but he came in today not feeling good," Martinez said. "I didn't want to chance him because the way he play all of a sudden he's dehydrated and something happens. If he feels better I'd want him to get some at-bats."

Catcher Kurt Suzuki came out of his first start since Sept. 5 feeling pretty good. Suzuki went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Martinez hopes to get him in the lineup Sunday too.

"He says he feels absolutely normal," Martinez said. "His legs were sore, but he says his arm feels great. He said he loved the fact he was able to play, get a bunch of at-bats. We will see how he feels. If he feels good tomorrow let him play tomorrow and get some at-bats again and go from there."

Right-hander Austin Voth allowed only two runs over six innings for the win Saturday 8-2 over the Indians. His ERA is 3.30.

"He's good. His breaking ball was really good yesterday," Martinez said. "I just wanted to see what his mechanics looked like."

So with Voth finishing the season so strong, is the former Washington Huskies hurler a candidate for the playoff roster?

"We are still tossing and turning," Martinez said. "We will make a decision hopefully by tomorrow what we are going to do. We still got time."

The bottom line for Martinez today is winning so they can host the National League wild card game here Tuesday night.

"That'll be huge," Martinez reiterated. "I'd like to stay home and play here and (not) have to sit around and worry about where we are going. Let's just win today."

Behind the scenes, Martinez said they have been studying up on both the Cardinals and the Brewers. St. Louis (90-70) leads Milwaukee (89-71) by one game for the NL Central crown with two games to play.

"I have been talking to some analytical guys about both teams and scouts," Martinez said. "The biggest thing is what their roster is going to look like and their pitchers and try and see how we match up."

But with all the serious talk of the second season beginning Tuesday night, Martinez said the players and staff are enjoying this moment and not getting stressed out.

"No, this is freaking awesome," Martinez said. "I love it. It's a lot of fun getting guys ready. We are going to the postseason! That's awesome."

Update: The Nationals exploded for nine runs in the second inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Parra. It was Parra's third grand slam of his career and second this season. He also hit one for the Nats at Dodgers on May 11.

Anthony Rendon smacked a two-run double while Adam Eaton, Asdrúbal Cabrera and Patrick Corbin added RBI singles.

Corbin has allowed no runs on two hits with five strikeouts through three innings.

Jordan Luplow hit a solo shot to get the Indians on the board, leading off the fourth. Eric Haase crushed a three-run home run, his first major league homer.

Mid-fourth, the Nats lead the Indians 9-4.

Update II: Juan Soto doubled with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Birthday boy Ryan Zimmerman added a run-scoring single to score Soto. Zimmerman, 35, is 2-for-3 with a run scored.

After four innings, the Nats lead the Indians 10-4.

Update III: Franmil Reyes smacked a two-run shot, his 37th, to inch the Indians closer. Corbin goes 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches, 59 for strikes.

Mid-fifth, the Nats lead the Indians 10-6.

Update IV: Wander Suero, Javy Guerra, Fernando Rodney, Daniel Hudson and Sean Doolittle held the Indians to one run for the remaining 5 2/3 innings to finish the game.

The Nats clinch home field advantage for the NL wild card game Tuesday night with the 10-7 win over the Indians.