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WASHINGTON -- Sure, the Washington Nationals would love to lock up home-field advantage in the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. What Dusty Baker is more concerned about is getting ready for the playoffs, and that includes having pitcher Joe Ross ready to go, whether thats as a starter or reliever.Working his way back from the disabled list, Ross stretched himself out to 90 pitches, although that only carried him through four innings on a dreary Thursday in a near-empty stadium, and the NL East champion Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3, helped by Wilmer Difos first major league homer and Pedro Severinos second.If it was up to me, I would have kept pitching. Same with last game, I would have kept going, said Ross, who allowed one run and three hits in his third appearance since coming off the DL. But obviously we have to make a steady progression to build me up for the playoffs, hopefully. So I guess thats where were at. I just prolonged each at-bat more than I would have liked, which led to the early exit.His manager, Baker, sounded a more positive note.Ross was good, Baker said. Very good.Its not yet clear what role Ross will have in the postseason. He could start Game 3 or Game 4 against the Dodgers. Or he could be used only in relief. Baker mentioned the possibility that the righty could be needed in long relief in Game 1 or Game 2 against the NL West champions.Were just kind of playing it by ear, Baker said.Ross said pitching in Thursdays occasional rain didnt make things easy. Nor did the games opening at-bat, in which he was forced to throw 12 pitches before eventually walking Jean Segura.With a long layoff until the Oct. 7 series opener against LA, Ross will throw bullpen sessions and wait to find out his what his job will be.Im hoping I get the opportunity to start, Ross said, but thats up to (the Nationals), obviously.Second baseman Difo and catcher Severino, both rookies, were in the lineup Thursday instead of Daniel Murphy (last started 12 days ago) and Wilson Ramos (out for the season), respectively.Last in the NL West, Arizona has nothing at stake the rest of the way. The Nationals, meanwhile, cut their magic number for earning the higher seeding against Los Angeles to two.Reliever Reynaldo Lopez (5-3) was credited with the win. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, letting up Socrates Britos two-run homer in the ninth before being lifted.Mark Melancon got the last two outs for his 45th save.Robbie Ray (8-15) allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings, including solo shots by Severino in the third and Difo in the fifth, along with Michael A. Taylors two-run single in the fourth.TRAINERS ROOMDiamondbacks: Segura left in the seventh because of cramps. ... RF Yasmany Tomas was a late scratch from the starting lineup because of a stiff neck he got from sleeping awkwardly on a hotel pillow.Nationals: 2B Murphy (glute muscle) and RF Bryce Harper (left thumb) sat out again. Manager Dusty Baker said he expects to get Murphy back in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS. Murphy last began a game on Sept. 17. Harper, meanwhile, was out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive day, but mainly as a precaution.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: Open a three-game series against visiting San Diego. The Diamondbacks and Padres are two of the four worst teams in the NL.Nationals: Their final regular-season series begins Friday against visiting Miami. RHP A.J. Cole (1-2, 5.09) is slated to pitch for Washington, but he is waiting to hear the outcome of his appeal of a five-game suspension for throwing at a batter. Taven Bryan Womens Jersey . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Gardner Minshew II Youth Jersey . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. http://www.officialjacksonvillejaguarspro.com/Telvin-smith-jaguars-jersey/ . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Telvin Smith Jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Yannick Ngakoue Youth Jersey . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams say defensive end Robert Quinn is in stable condition after checking himself into a hospital with an illness thats unrelated to football.Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that Quinn is still undergoing tests but things look encouraging after speaking to him and his wife, Christina. Fisher did not provide details about the nature of Quinns medical issue.He is feeling much better, Fisher said. He kept saying to me over and over, `Coach, I just want to get back and get my body right and get on the practice field as fast as I can.The sixth-year pro from North Carolina and 2011 first-round draft pick has two sacks this season along with two forced fumbles, giving him an NFL-best 19 since 2013.He has been with the Rams for his entire NFL career, emerging as a key starter and the top pass-rusher on their vaunted defensive line. He played in the Rams 9-6 road victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.ddddddddddddQuinn, 26, underwent back surgery last December and spent much of the offseason recuperating. He has started six of the Rams nine games this season while overcoming a series of minor injuries.Quinn was diagnosed with a tumor below his brain while in high school. The tumor has caused headaches when it isnt properly drained, but Quinn has said the tumor is checked regularly.Along with his standout play, Quinn has made headlines this season for his decision to raise a fist during the national anthem before every game. Following the lead of San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Quinn called it a silent protest against police brutality and other racial injustices.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '