ST. LOUIS (AP) – Allen Craig matched his career best with four hits to go with two RBIs, Yadier Molina hit a two-run home run and the St. Louis Cardinals punished Edwin Jackson and the Washington Nationals early in a 12-2 victory Friday night to win a match-up of teams on the cusp of clinchers.

Roger Bernadina homered for Washington, which had its magic number for wrapping up the NL East reduced to two when Atlanta lost to the Mets. The Nationals, who secured the first postseason berth for Washington, D.C., since 1933 a week earlier, lead the Braves by four games with five to play and could wrap up the division title Saturday night.

Adam Wainwright (14-13) halted a string of four so-so starts with six solid innings for the Cardinals, whose magic number is three for securing the second NL wild card.