Cubs rally to stave off Brewers in NL Central
MILWAUKEE — Javier Baez grounded a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer in the 10th and the Chicago Cubs widened their NL Central lead over Milwaukee, beating the Brewers 5-3 Thursday night.
The Cubs now are 4½ games ahead of the Brewers after winning the opener of a four-game series.
The Cubs trailed 3-2 when Ian Happ led off the ninth by hitting a grounder that first baseman Neil Walker fielded wide of the bag. Reliever Jeremy Jeffress covered first and Happ was called safe in a close play, a ruling upheld on replay.
Happ moved to second on a one-out grounder and scored when Baez, down to his last strike, singled up the middle.
Bryant hit his 28th homer, connecting off Oliver Drake (3-5).
INDIANS 4, ANGELS 1
In Anaheim, Francisco Lindor homered and Cleveland finished a three-game sweep for its 27th win in 28 games.
It matched the 1884 Providence Grays for the best 28-game run in major league history.
The Grays went 28-1 before cooling.
The was Cleveland’s 11th straight victory over the Angels, who have lost four of five overall in a struggling effort to overtake the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild card.
TWINS 12, TIGERS 1
In Detroit, Joe Mauer and Jorge Polanco had three hits each, and Minnesota extended its lead for the American League’s second wild card.
The Twins are 2½ games ahead of the Angels in the race for the AL’s final postseason spot.
DODGERS 5, PHILLIES 4
In Philadelphia, pinch-hitter Andre Ethier and Curtis Granderson homered as Los Angeles clinched a tie for the NL West title, ending a four-game losing streak by beating Philadelphia.
The Dodgers can win their fifth straight division crown Friday night with either a victory at home over San Francisco or a loss by secondplace Arizona to Miami.
ROYALS 1, BLUE JAYS 0
In Toronto, Jason Vargas and four relievers combined on a two-hitter, and Melky Cabrera had three hits and the only RBI.
The Blue Jays did not have a runner reach scoring position.
The Royals, who have 10 games remaining, are 3½ games behind Minnesota for the second AL wild card spot.
CARDINALS 8, REDS 5
In Cincinnati, Dexter Fowler delivered again, getting three hits and driving in two as St. Louis overcame Scott Schebler’s two home runs to beat Cincinnati for a threegame sweep.
The Cardinals began the day 2½ games behind Colorado for the second NL wild card and five games behind the Central-leading Cubs.