NEW YORK: Russell Martin’s seventh-inning single drove in centre fielder Andrew McCutchen from third to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a victory against the Milwaukee Brewers.
McCutchen led off the seventh with an infield single, then moved to second on a passed ball and took third on a wild pitch before Martin sent him home.
Vance Worley pitched an efficient outing for Pittsburgh, going eight shutout innings on 82 pitches. Worley (8-4) pounded the strike zone, throwing 63 strikes, and allowed four hits, walked none and struck out five. The Pirates (84-71) extended their lead for the National League’s second wild-card spot to 4-1/2 games with their victory over the Brewers.
Dodgers 8, Cubs 5
Matt Kemp went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and the Los Angeles Dodgers inched closer to a National League West division title. Kemp hit a two-run home run in the third inning and added a pair of RBI singles as the Dodgers (86-67) moved 4-1/2 games in front of San Francisco. Los Angeles has just six games remaining including a three-game set with the Giants that starts later this week.
Royals 5, Tigers 2
The Kansas City Royals pulled within 1-1/2 games of Detroit with a win over the Tigers in a matchup of the top teams in the American League Central. Nori Aoki hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie that helped the Royals (84-70) to the win.
Kansas City holds a slim lead for the second American League wild card spot and is trying to reach their first post-season since 1985.REUTERS
