Molina, DeJong homers carry Cards past Cubs 9-8

CHICAGO — Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong homered on Craig Kimbrel’s first two pitches in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals handed the reeling Chicago Cubs their fifth straight loss with a wild 9-8 victory on Saturday.

Marcell Ozuna also connected as the NL Central-leading Cardinals (88-67) won for the fifth time in six games. Dexter Fowler had two hits and two RBIs, and Paul Goldschmidt also drove in two runs.

Chicago (82-73) used pinch-hit homers by Ian Happ and Tony Kemp and a solo drive by rookie Nico Hoerner to carry an 8-7 lead into the ninth.

REDS 3, METS 2

In Cincinnati, pinch-hitter Christian Colón’s two-out single off Seth Lugo broke an eighth-inning tie, lifting Cincinnati over the Mets and dealing New York a critical defeat in the NL wild card race.

New York (80-74) went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and dropped four games back of Milwaukee for the second wild card with eight games left.

ANGELS 8, ASTROS 4

In Houston, the Astros remained just shy of its third straight AL West title, wasting a chance to clinch when Wade Miley was hit hard in a loss to Los Angeles that ended a six-game winning streak.

Houston (101-54) needs just one more win to ensure first place.

YANKEES 7, BLUE JAYS 2

In New York, Giancarlo Stanton launched his first homer since missing nearly three months to injury, James Paxton won his 10th straight start and New York beat Toronto.

New York manager Aaron Boone was ejected after another tangle with a rookie umpire.

WHITE SOX 5, TIGERS 3

In Detroit, Tim Anderson homered in a three-run fifth inning, and Chicago beat Detroit.

Anderson went 1 for 4, lowering his American League-leading average to .335, but the one hit was a no-doubter of a home run to left field.

BRAVES 8, GIANTS 1

In Atlanta, Max Fried strengthened his case for a spot in the postseason rotation by throwing 5 ⅓ scoreless innings, Francisco Cervilli and Adam Duvall hit two-run homers and Atlanta beat San Francisco.

At 96-60, the Braves will finish with their most wins since 2013. San Francisco dropped to 71-81, ensuring Bruce Bochy will not have a winning record in his 25th and final season.

RAYS 5, RED SOX 4, 11 INNINGS

In St. Petersburg, Fla., Nate Lowe hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning, and Tampa Bay beat Boston to move one game ahead of Cleveland for the second AL wild card.

Tampa Bay won its third straight game, all in 11 innings.

BREWERS 10, PIRATES 1

In Milwaukee, rookies Keston Hiura and Trent Grisham each hit two-run homers and Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh to increase its edge for the second NL wild-card spot.

The Brewers lead Chicago by three games in the wild-card race after the Cubs lost to St. Louis. Milwaukee remained one game behind Washington for the top wild-card slot.

PHILLIES 9, INDIANS 4

In Cleveland, Bryce Harper connected for a three-run homer and Philadelphia avoided sliding deeper in the NL wild-card standings with a win over Cleveland.

Brad Miller homered twice as the Phillies stayed within five games of Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot.

ROYALS 12, TWINS 5

In Minneapolis, closer Taylor Rogers got tagged during a seven-run ninth inning and Minnesota missed a chance to add to its AL Central lead in a loss to Kansas City.

The Twins remained four games ahead of Cleveland, which lost at home to Philadelphia.

MARINERS 7, ORIOLES 6, 13 INNINGS

In Baltimore, Mallex Smith scored from second base in the 13th inning after Tim Lopes beat out an infield grounder, and Seattle outlasted Baltimore.

Smith reached with two outs when Tanner Scott (1-1) dropped a short toss while covering first base for an error. Smith stole second, and Lopes followed with a grounder to third baseman Rio Ruiz.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, PADRES 2

In San Diego, Rod Barajas lost his San Diego debut as interim manager, falling to Arizona as former Padres player Abraham Almonte had three hits and scored three runs.

ROCKIES 4, DODGERS 2

In Los Angeles, Ryan McMahon and Josh Fuentes hit solo homers, and Colorado defeated Los Angeles to snap a 12-game skid at Dodger Stadium.

It was the Rockies’ first win in eight games in Los Angeles this season, and their first here since June 30, 2018.

ATHLETICS 12, RANGERS 3

In Oakland, Calif., Marcus Semien hit his 32nd home run and reached base six times, and Oakland routed Texas to maintain its twogame lead in the AL wild card race.

Sean Manaea allowed two runs over 5⅔ innings after being staked to a big lead early to win his third straight.