NL playoffs standings: Dodgers are in, get a little closer to Cardinals

The Dodgers won the National League West on Thursday and also gained a game on the Cardinals.

Here are quick recaps of Thursday's relevant action.

Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 6: A.J. Ellis hit the tie-breaking and ultimately, division-winning home run in the 8th as the Dodgers become the first team in baseball to clinch their division. For more coverage, click here.

Rockies 7, Cardinals 6: Todd Helton is retiring at the end of the season but he still has game. Helton pulled the hidden-ball trick and hit a game tying home run in the bottom of the 9th and in the bottom of the 15th, Corey Dickerson tripled in the winning run.

Pirates 10, Padres 1: The Pirates were in danger of being swept by the Padres but Gerrit Cole struck out 12 in 6 innings and the Pirates salvaged one before they started their first of two series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Nationals 3, Marlins 2: A Bryce Harper three-run home run is the difference as the Nationals keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Here is a look at relevant games on Friday:

• 11:20 a.m. - Atlanta (Paul Maholm) at Chicago (Scott Baker)
• 4:05 p.m. - Miami (Jacob Turner) at Washington (Jordan Zimmermann)
• 4:05 p.m. - Cincinnati (Mat Latos) at Pittsburgh (Francisco Liriano)
• 5:10 p.m. - St. Louis (Shelby Miller) at Milwaukee (Johnny Hellweg)
• 7:10 p.m. - Los Angeles (Edinson Volquez) at San Diego (Robbie Erlin)