By Greg Halbleib
The Cardinals missed a big chance to gain ground in the National League wild card race, and missed several smaller chances while doing so. The Cards lost 2-1 to the Reds to stay one game behind the Giants in the wild card hunt. Kolten Wong led off the ninth inning with a pinch-hit triple but was stranded as the Cards went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The series concludes tonight at Busch Stadium as right-handers Dan Straily and Alex Reyes take the ball.
The Cubs lost at Pittsburgh 8-4 as the Pirates’ John Jaso hit for the cycle and drove in five runs. Rob Zastryzny makes his first major league start for the Cubs while the Pirates hand the ball to Ivan Nova.
Todd Frazier hit his 40th home run for the game’s only tally as the White Sox beat the Rays 1-0. Miguel Gonzalez pitched into the ninth inning and waited out two rain delays. Chris Archer against Jose Quintana tonight on the South Side.
The Boston Red Sox clinched the American League East despite losing to the Yankees on a walk-off grand slam by Mark Tiexiera.
The Kansas City Royals were offically eliminated, meaning the World Series champions have failed to make the postseason for the fourth straight year.
The Cubs have given president of baseball operations Theo Epstein a five-year contract extension.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has returned to practice on a limited basis after missing a game because of a sprained right thumb. Brian Hoyer ran the offense in Sunday’s loss to Dallas and would likely start again if Cutler is not available against Detroit this week.
