Cubs, Brewers both clinch National League playoff spots
CHICAGO Shortly after their playoff spot was assured, the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 on Albert Almora Jr.’s single with two outs in the 10th inning Wednesday night.
The NL Central-leading Cubs clinched their fourth straight post-season appearance when Milwaukee beat St. Louis. The Brewers, who sealed a playoff slot with their win, are a half-game behind Chicago. One of them will win the NL Central, the other will play in the NL wild-card game.
After Pittsburgh tied it in the ninth on a two-out, two-run double by Starling Marte, the Cubs bounced back to win. Ian Happ led off the 10th with a walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Terrance Gore. Mike Freeman’s sacrifice moved up Gore, and he took third on a groundout. Almora singled to left on an 0-2 pitch from Richard Rodriguez (4-3).
Jason Heyward homered and drove in three runs for the Cubs. Javier Baez singled for his NL leading 111th RBI as the Cubs won after blowing a five-run lead.
BREWERS 2, CARDINALS 1
ST. LOUIS — Milwaukee clinched its first playoff spot since 2011 by ensuring at least a spot in the NL wild-card game, helped when a rookie St. Louis pinch-runner fell on his way to the plate.
Jhoulys Chacin pitched five shutout innings and Travis Shaw hit a pair of RBI singles to help the Brewers completed a three-game sweep.
The Cardinals missed a big chance to tie it in the eighth inning. Matt Carpenter walked and was lifted for pinch-runner Adolis Garcia. Jose Martinez then hit a slow roller to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who threw wildly to first. Garcia was waved home but fell halfway to the plate, allowing second baseman Hernan Perez to easily throw him out to end the inning.
RED SOX 19, ORIOLES 3, 1ST GAME
ORIOLES 10, RED SOX 3, 2ND GAME
BOSTON — Boston’s Chris Sale struck out eight over 4 2/3 innings in his final tuneup for an expected start in the AL Division Series opener before Baltimore salvaged a split of the day-night doubleheader.
RAYS 8, YANKEES 7
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka gave up four runs and six hits over four-plus innings in his final start before the playoffs in New York’s loss to Tampa.
NATIONALS 9, MARLINS 3, 7 INNINGS
WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in the rain-shortened game that many expect was his last at Nationals Park as a Washington player.
ROCKIES 14, PHILLIES 0
DENVER — Hardthrowing German Marquez started with eight straight strikeouts to match a modern-era big league record, and Colorado routed Philadelphia to pad its lead for final NL final wild-card spot.
BLUE JAYS 3, ASTROS 1
TORONTO — Toronto gave outgoing manager John Gibbons a winning home sendoff against celebrating Houston.
Before the game, Toronto general manager Ross Atkins announced that Gibbons will not return next season. After getting the final out, closer Ken Giles gave the ball to Gibbons and the crowd rose for a standing ovation.