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Cubs lose game, not ground, in NL Central race

4 min read

The Cubs’ NL Central lead remained at 2½ games over second-place Milwaukee when Scott Schebler homered on Jose Quintana’s first pitch of the game, Phillip Ervin also went deep and the Cincinnati Reds beat Chicago 2-1 Sunday.

Joey Votto had three hits for last-place Cincinnati, which stopped its three-game losing streak and Chicago’s three-game winning streak.

Luis Castillo (10-12) allowed one run, four hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings, giving up Albert Almora Jr.’s sacrifice fly in the fifth. Amir Garrett and Jared Hughes combined for four outs and Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth for his 27th save in 31 chances, completing a five-hitter.

Chicago, seeking its third straight division title, has totaled 15 runs in its last seven games.

Quintana (13-10) was bidding for what would have been a career-high 14th win. Schebler drove a 93 mph fastball into the bleachers just left of the batter’s eye, and Ervin homered leading off the fourth.

Chicago’s Victor Caratini hit a sharper grounder down the line with runners on first and second in the bottom half. First base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called the ball foul as he unsuccessfully tried to jump out of the way.

Garrett escaped second-and-third, two-outs trouble in the seventh when he relieved and struck out Anthony Rizzo, who slammed his helmet.

Washington 6, Atlanta 4: Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon hit two-run homers, 19-year-old rookie Juan Soto added an RBI single in the ninth inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 6-4. Atlanta maintained a 6½-games lead in the NL East over second-place Philadelphia but has lost two straight following a season-best, six-game winning streak. The Braves are 38-36 at home, where they have lost eight of their last 11.

Colorado 3, San Francisco 2: Antonio Senzatela pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning and also hit a two-run single as the Colorado Rockies held their playoff position, topping the San Francisco Giants 3-2.

Miami 6, Philadelphia 4: Peter O’Brien homered and drove in three runs as the Miami Marlins blunted Philadelphia’s bid to move up in the playoff race, beating the Phillies 6-4.

L.A. Angels 4, Seattle 3: Kole Calhoun hit a two-run homer and Justin Upton homered in his third straight game as the Los Angeles Angels avoided a four-game sweep with a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Toronto 3, N.Y. Yankees 2: Dellin Betances blew a one-run lead in the eighth inning, sending the New York Yankees stumbling into their final regular season series against baseball’s best team with a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Betances allowed hits to four of his first five batters, including a tying single by pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez and a go-ahead double by Randal Grichuk. Betances has lost two of his past three appearances.

Detroit 6, Cleveland 4: The Cleveland Indians rested several of their regulars a day after clinching the AL Central and lost to the Detroit Tigers 6-4 as Jim Adduci homered and drove in a career-high four runs.

Tampa Bay 5, Oakland 4: Khris Davis hit a grand slam in the ninth inning but the Oakland Athletics again came up short, beaten by the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4. The A’s remained 1 ½ games behind the New York Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot.

Boston 4, N.Y. Mets 3: Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts left after hurting his left side making a throw to home plate during a 4-3 win over the New York Mets that cut Boston’s magic number to two for a third straight AL East title.

Houston 5, Arizona 4: Justin Verlander struck out 11 in seven solid innings and the Houston Astros extended their AL West edge, topping the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4.

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