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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. Teemu Selanne Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. J.T. Compher Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-erik-johnson-avalanche-jersey/ . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Matt Calvert Avalanche Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Patrick Roy Avalanche Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss the New England Patriots, the Quebec Soccer Federation, Andrew Wiggins, and baseballs umpires. Dave Naylor, TSN: My thumb is up to the New England Patriots, who this week signed the one and only Tim Tebow. This is good news because it would have been wrong if Tebows career had ended in an incomplete set fashion in his one year as a backup with the New York Jets. Actually, Im not sure he was the backup with the Jets, I dont know what he was doing there and Im not sure what hes going to be with the Patriots. You have to give Tebow credit, nobody can start a conversation topic like he can, that is unless you are Bill Belichick, the Patriots head coach, who this week deflected 14 consecutive Tebow questions without giving a hint away about what they have planned. This sets up the first great matchup of the 2013 NFL season - Boring Bill Belichick against Tebowmania. Cathal Kelly, Toronto Star: My thumb is down to the Quebec Soccer Federation for their flip flop on a turban ban this week. The FSQ claimed two false things. First, that turbans represent some sort of a safety risk on a soccer field, they dont. Second, that they had the support of FIFA in enforcing the ban, they didnt. FIFA pointed that out on Friday and on Saturday the FSQ climbed down. What they have done cannot be wiped out with a press release, shamme on them for trying.dddddddddddd Dave Feschuk, Toronto Star: My thumb is up to Andrew Wiggins for deciding not to play for Canada at this summers World Junior Basketball Championship. I know what you are thinking, another Canadian hoopster is blowing off his country and why is my thumb not down? I think Wiggins deserves the benefit of the doubt here, he is the most famous Canadian teenager since Justin Bieber. He has tons of talent and tons of hype, but unlike Bieber he has not been seen walking shirtless through airports or abandoning his pet monkey in Europe. This kid is actually doing his country proud. He is the consensus number one pick in next years draft NBA Draft. He will be available for Canada in Olympic qualifications, so lets wish him a healthy holiday. Dave Hodge, TSN: Did you hear the story of the Japanese Baseball commissioner, who secretly ordered new and livelier baseballs to be put in play this season? He told the manufacturer, but didnt tell anybody else. He didnt tell the teams. He didnt tell the pitchers who might have wondered why fly balls were homers, and didnt tell the batters, who might have wondered what was making them stronger. It made me wonder whether Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has secretly ordered changes to the strike zone. I know we say the umpires get their calls right most of the time, but this seasons wrong calls continue to be some of the worst ever. ' ' '