Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Friday 29 September 2017

Cubs clinch NL Central for 2nd year in a row

By The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Aar-
ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) on Altherr had two hits and
— Addison Russell hit a drove in two runs to lead
three-run homer and John Philadelphia over Washing-
Lackey pitched six strong ton.
innings as the Chicago Nationals starter Tanner
Cubs clinched their second Roark (13-11) struggled with
consecutive NL Central command, walking five hit-
title with a 5-1 victory over ters and allowing six earned
the St. Louis Cardinals on runs and seven hits in 4 1/3
Wednesday. innings.
The Cubs reached the post- Bryce Harper was 1 for 4
season for the third straight with a single and a run
year for the first time since scored in his second game
1908. They are also the first since returning from a hy-
defending World Series perextended left knee.
champion to win their divi- Rookie Yacksel Rios (1-0)
sion the next season since got his first career victory.
the 2009 Philadelphia Phil- Hector Neris worked a per-
lies and the first defending fect ninth for his 20th con-
champion to reach the secutive save conversion
playoffs the next season and 26th in 29 opportunities
since the Cardinals won overall.
the wild card in 2012. Members of the Chicago Cubs celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball METS 7, BRAVES 1
Lackey (12-11) retired the game to clinch the National League Central title Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, in St. Louis. NEW YORK (AP) — Terry Col-
final 10 batters he faced. Associated Press lins was a winner in perhaps
The former Cardinal struck Milwaukee for the second month. Francisco. his final home game as
out three and gave up two NL wild-card spot. DODGERS 10, PADRES 0 Martinez tied Ralph Kiner’s manager of the New York
hits and two walks. Jon Gray (10-4) lasted six LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rich 1949 NL record for home Mets.
Six Cubs relievers com- innings and hasn’t allowed Hill allowed two hits over runs in September. The Travis d’Arnaud drove in
bined for three scoreless in- more than three runs in 13 seven innings and Yasiel major league record is 17, three runs and pinch-hitter
nings of relief. straight starts. Adam Con- Puig, Curtis Granderson shared by Babe Ruth and Dominic Smith launched
Michael Wacha (12-9) was ley (7-8) gave up six runs in and Corey Seager hom- Albert Belle. a three-run homer for the
chased after allowing the 1 1/3 innings. ered to power Los Angeles. Martinez has 45 homers this Mets, who won their third
first six Cubs to reach base REDS 6, BREWERS 0 The Dodgers own the best season, 29 of them since straight and finished 37-44
in the seventh. MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers record in baseball and tied being traded from De- at Citi Field this year. They
ROCKIES 15, MARLINS 9 rookie Brandon Woodruff the Los Angeles franchise troit to the Diamondbacks wrap up the season with
DENVER (AP) — Ian Des- was chased in a five-run record for wins in a season on July 18. His 36 RBIs in a three games in Philadel-
mond homered during a third inning and Milwau- at 102, which was last done month set an Arizona re- phia this weekend.
six-run second inning and kee’s postseason hopes in 1974. cord, topping Luis Gonza- The 68-year-old Collins, old-
playoff-chasing Colora- took another hit. Hill (12-8) struck out 10. The lez’s 35 in June 2001. est manager in the majors,
do won hours after Major The Brewers have lost five of Dodgers will host the first David Peralta drew a bas- has said he has no plans
League Baseball approved seven. They’ve dropped 2 game of the NLDS against es-loaded walk to cap the to retire and would like
the sale of the Marlins to an ½ games behind Colorado the to-be-determined wild- comeback in the ninth. The to keep working until age
investment group featuring for the second NL wild-card card winner on Oct. 6 at next time Arizona plays at 70 — even if that means
Derek Jeter. spot with only four games Dodger Stadium. Chase Field will be next somewhere else in base-
Charlie Blackmon reached left. DIAMONDBACKS 4, GIANTS Wednesday in the NL wild- ball. His contract expires
100 RBIs for the Rockies, Joey Votto hit his team- 3 card game. after this season, and the
who with three games left high 36th home run and PHOENIX (AP) — J.D. Mar- All of the runs were charged Mets (69-90) are expected
are in prime position to con- Homer Bailey (6-9) threw tinez hit his 16th homer in to Giants closer Sam Dy- to make changes follow-
tend for their first postsea- seven strong innings for the September during a three- son (3-3). J.J. Hoover (3-1) ing a hugely disappointing
son berth since 2009. They Reds. Woodruff (2-3) made run rally in the ninth inning earned the win in relief. season derailed by injuries
are 2 1/2 games ahead of his major league debut last that lifted Arizona over San PHILLIES 7, NATIONALS 5 and underperformance.q