Nationals clinch playoff spot with win over Harper's Phillies

The Washington Nationals are officially headed back to the postseason after beating Bryce Harper's Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5, on Tuesday.

Moments after the final out, the Nationals took the field to watch the final out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' victory over the Chicago Cubs, which officially punched Washington's ticket to the 2019 playoffs:

If the postseason began Tuesday night, the Nationals would host the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card game, with the winner going on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It marks the fifth time Washington has reached the playoffs since 2012, as the club will attempt to win its first division series since moving from Montreal.

The berth follows a disappointing 2018 campaign in which the Nationals finished 82-80 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2015.

Their run to the playoffs seemed somewhat improbable, having struggled to a 19-31 record on May 23 and sat fourth in the division as late as June 16.

The 88-69 Nationals notably lost Harper to free agency this past winter, as the superstar outfielder signed a 13-year, $330-million contract with the Phillies. Philadelphia was officially eliminated from playoff contention Monday with its loss against Washington.