CHICAGO – The long wait is over, Pittsburgh. Your Pirates are finally headed back to the postseason.

After a 21-year absence, Pittsburgh clinched at least a National League wild card Monday night when it beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 and the Washington Nationals lost to St. Louis.

Now, they can turn their attention toward bigger goals, the kind that seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream through all those losing seasons.

“Even though I didn’t lose for the last 20 years, they make you feel like you are. You feel like you lost those 20 years,” Andrew McCutchen said. “That’s all you hear. You hear it every single day — ‘When’s it going to change? You think this is the year?’ You get sick and tired of hearing that. It’s awesome that there won’t be any questions anymore. The question is, ‘Are we going to be able to go farther?’ ”

It will be the Pirates’ first trip to the postseason since Barry Bonds, Jim Leyland and Co. won three straight NL East titles from 1990-92. Bonds then left for San Francisco as a free agent, and small-budget Pittsburgh piled up 20 consecutive losing records — the longest streak in the four major professional sports.

Starling Marte hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning at Wrigley Field, and the Pirates threw out a runner at the plate for the final out.

The Pirates sprayed each other with bubbly and beer and sparkling cider in the visitors’ clubhouse once St. Louis’ 4-3 victory over the Nationals became final.

Pittsburgh players sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” They chanted “MVP! MVP!” while dousing McCutchen. They took pictures and manager Clint Hurdle had them gather for a group photo in the middle of the cramped visitors’ clubhouse.

“The people of Pittsburgh have been waiting a long time,” said Neil Walker, who homered.

Reds 3, Mets 2 (10)

In Cincinnati, Choo Shin-soo drove in the winning run with a single off the wall in the 10th, and the Reds secured a playoff spot after beating New York.

Cardinals 4, Nationals 3

In St. Louis, Carlos Beltran homered and Adam Wainwright earned his 18th win.

Brewers 5, Braves 0

In Atlanta, Marco Estrada pitched two-hit ball for seven innings and Milwaukee belted three homers against the Braves.

Norichika Aoki finished 1-for-5 for the Brewers in the loss.

Marlins 4, Phillies 0

In Miami, Nathan Eovaldi pitched into the eighth inning to help the Marlins blank Philadelphia.

Padres 4, Diamondbacks 1

In San Diego, Eric Stults allowed one run over 6⅓ innings and Nick Hundley hit a three-run homer to lead San Diego over Arizona.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 5, Orioles 4

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Wil Myers tied it with a two-run single on a jarring play in the seventh inning then pinch hitter James Loney stunned the Orioles with a leadoff homer in the ninth.

Baltimore lost All-Star third baseman Manny Machado to a leg injury in the top of the seventh.

Chris Davis hit his MLB-best 52nd homer for the Orioles.

Rangers 12, Astros 0

In Arlington, Alex Rios hit for the cycle and Derek Holland struck out nine in his second shutout of the season as Texas started its final push for a playoff spot.

Twins 4, Tigers 3 (11)

In Minneapolis, Josmil Pinto hit an RBI single in the 11th inning and the Twins overcame 12 strikeouts by Justin Verlander.

The Tigers led 3-0 in the eighth, but Jose Veras gave up RBI doubles to Eduardo Escobar and Ryan Doumit. Brian Dozier led off the ninth with a tying homer against previously perfect closer Joaquin Benoit.

White Sox 3, Blue Jays 2

In Chicago, Jose Quintana pitched into the eighth inning and rookie Marcus Semien hit his first major league homer.

Athletics 10, Angels 5

In Anaheim, Jed Lowrie hit a three-run homer and Brandon Moss added a two-run shot.

Royals 6, Mariners 5 (12)

In Seattle, Alex Gordon threw out a runner at the plate in extra innings and scored on Salvador Perez’s two-out double in the 12th.