Cardinals 10, Nationals 4: Carlos Beltran homered twice and drove in five runs as host St. Louis moved closer to clinching a postseason berth.

Beltran’s two-run homer capped a five-run second inning for the Cardinals, whose magic number for the second wild card is two with three games to play. Washington’s magic number to clinch the National League East remains at one over Atlanta after the Braves posted a 6-2 triumph over New York earlier Sunday.

The Cardinals jumped on Ross Detwiler (10-8) for seven runs over 2 1/3 innings before Washington responded with four runs in the fourth on rookie Bryce Harper’s solo homer, Ian Desmond’s RBI double and Danny Espinosa’s two-run blast.

Lance Lynn (18-7) allowed four runs with nine strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals, who have won seven of their last 11.

Beltran hit his 32nd home run of the season in the fourth for the 34th multi-home run game of his career and fourth this season. Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma added three hits with three RBIs.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington is tied for the NL's best record (96-63) with Cincinnati with three games to play. … St. Louis 3B David Freese returned to the starting lineup after missing five games with a right ankle sprain. He went 0-for-3 with two walks. …Detwiler was born and raised in Wentzville, Mo., located 40 miles from St. Louis.