Rockies clinch 2nd straight playoff berth

Rocktober is officially back.

The Colorado Rockies clinched their second consecutive playoff berth - and fifth in the franchise's 25-year history - thanks to a 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on Friday night.

This also marks the first time the Rockies have reached the postseason in successive years. Last season, they made it to October but lasted just nine innings, losing the NL wild-card game to the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Rockies' 90th win of the campaign also temporarily moved them 1 1/2 games up on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West race. Although the Dodgers' Friday night game in San Francisco was still being played, the Rockies lowered their magic number to clinch the division to two with the win. Colorado now has a shot to win their first division title in franchise history as early as Saturday.

The Rockies may want to wrap up the division title then, though, because if Sunday's game has any playoff implications, Bud Black's team may be forced to face Nationals ace Max Scherzer in the season finale.