Liriano outpitches Kershaw as Pirates edge Dodgers 3-2

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, September 18, 2015, in Los Angeles. Right fielder Gregory Polanco bunted for a single, took second when Marte grounded out and scored on third baseman Aramis Ramirez’s single. The Cubs trail the Pirates by two games for the top wild card.

Cubs 8, Cardinals 3: Starlin Castro homered twice and matched his career high with six RBIs, leading Chicago over St. Louis for its fourth straight win.

Gattis pushed the Astros over the hump with his 25th home run on the season, an opposite-field blast to right field off Fernando Rodriguez. “I thought it was a better pitch when it happened, but looking at it, it couldn’t have been much worse”.

“Everything felt great. I was able to throw any pitch in any location”, said Liriano, who struck out nine and limited Los Angeles to five hits with two walks in seven innings. “You still have to find a way to win games”.

Not only was he pitching in Dodger Stadium for the second time, he was embarking on the most important four-start stretch of his young career.

“It’s been tough the last four days, but we’re back on track”, Cervelli said. “They came out aggressive, too”.

“I don’t know if frustrating is the right word, but you don’t want to give up two runs on a hit when you’ve got two strikes on a guy”, Kershaw said.

“We talked to him the other day”, Mattingly said. “This is not over”.

Los Angeles’ magic number for clinching its third straight NL West title stayed at seven with 14 games left. He hadn’t been dealt defeat since the Miami Marlins beat him and the Dodgers 3-2 on June 27.

In Atlanta, Julio Teheran took a ideal game try into the seventh inning and A.J. Pierzynski hit an RBI single in the ninth. The right-hander also induced seven groundouts, including a double play, and finished with four strikeouts.

Left-hander Tony Watson and right-hander Mark Melancon each pitched a ideal inning in relief, with Melancon earning his 48th save, the most in the major leagues.

Bolsinger, whom Mattingly said will remain in the Dodgers’ rotation the rest of the regular season, was blistered by 97-degree heat and a second-inning line drive off his body before leaving with two on and one out in the fifth inning when trailing 3-2.

Dodgers 3B Justin Turner exited after six innings because of left knee soreness.

Dodgers rookie sensation Corey Seager continued to make the most of his opportunity in place of injured shortstop Jimmy Rollins, hitting a two-run homer in the fourth. The Pirates trail the Cardinals by four games.

“Frankie gave us just what we needed”, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “Obviously, the record shows it. They’re a handful”.

Having that extra Game 5 at home could ultimately matter in what’s sure to be a series in which runs will be at a premium. Los Angeles has not led the NL in homers since hitting 146 in 1983…. Cole struck out nine without walking a batter and pitched through the seventh despite the late-summer heat wave. Chase Utley started at second base Friday.

The magic number could be even lower if Kershaw (14-7) didn’t have the misfortune of pitching opposite of Francisco Liriano, who was his equal on this night.