BUENOS AIRES, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Defensa y Justicia's Superliga Argentina title hopes were all but dashed on Sunday as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat away to Patronato.

Gabriel Carabajal and German Berterame scored either side of halftime to give the hosts their sixth win in 23 matches this campaign.

Defensa y Justicia are now four points behind leaders Racing Club with two rounds remaining.

Racing will clinch the title if they beat 12th-placed Tigre away from home after the international break on March 31.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires giants Boca Juniors and River Plate consolidated their places inside the top four with emphatic victories on Sunday.

River struck all three goals in the second half to secure a 3-0 home victory over Independiente while Boca recovered from an early deficit to win 4-1 at San Martin Tucuman.

In other Superliga Argentina matches on Sunday, Tigre won 3-1 at Talleres Cordoba and Son Lorenzo prevailed 1-0 at Rosario Central.