Cubs clinch NL Central title with Cardinals loss

The Cubs clinched the National League Central title last night, after the Saint Louis Cardinals lost to the San Francisco Giants.

The Cubs had a chance to clinch the division with a win, but lost to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Wrigley Field was empty when Matt Adams made the final out on the west coast, yet a loud cheer went up in the neighborhood around the ballpark and several people honked their vehicle horns.

The Milwaukee Brewers played spoiler – for a couple hours anyway – and prevented the Cubs from wrapping up the title before a sellout crowd at Wrigley Field on Thursday night with a 5-4 victory.

He started the fourth inning by allowing a solo homer to Keon Broxton on a full-count fastball over the heart of the plate.

Lester (17-4) allowed four baserunners, none of which got past first.

The outcome canceled what figured to be a wild postgame celebration for the Cubs, who opted not to wait to see if they’d clinch with second-place St. Louis losing in San Francisco later in the night. They got in as a wild card a year ago and made it to the NL Championship Series before they were swept by the New York Mets.

First pitch is slated for 1:20 p.m., with coverage airing on CSN Chicago and on MLB Network. “You really want to avoid the wild-card game if you possibly can – it’s a tough day”.

Tampa Bay at Baltaimore, 6:05 p.m.

RAYS 8, BLUE JAYS 1: Alex Cobb won for the first time in nearly two years, and Kevin Kiermaier and Corey Dickerson each hit a two-run homer to lead Tampa Bay past Toronto.

Alex Colome worked the ninth for his 33rd save. Leury Garcia pinch ran and stole second and scored on Sanchez’s single to right center off Bryan Shaw (2-5).

Brad Boxberger (4-1) got two outs for the win. Pinch-hitter Scooter Gennett had other ideas.

The outcome puts the AL East leaders two games ahead of Baltimore and Toronto, and five in front of the Yankees. Pittsburgh’s first seven runs all came from homers.

Hanley Ramirez was the hero as he belted a three-run walk-off homer to complete the comeback. Cueto beat Wainwright for the second time this season after a June 3 win.

Brandon Drury set a Diamondbacks rookie record with an RBI in his seventh straight game.

Don’t count out Seattle, which also is two games back, has won eight in a row, and has a three-game series at home against the Blue Jays beginning Monday.

Healy, who had three hits, sent his titanic drive an estimated 480 feet and it landed above the left-field fountains. “It’s different. Everybody should get this opportunity at some point in their big league career”. Marcus Semien added his 25th homer, a three-run shot. Jorge Soler has essentially played a half-season, showing off his natural power (12 homers) without ripping off the injury-prone label.

Detroit at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

The bullpen should be solid with the starters going deep into games. The real celebration will be after the game.

But Bryant also led the NL with 199 strikeouts last season, looking at times worn down, a little shaky at third base and like he had a few holes in his swing that could be exploited.