(Chicago, IL) — Albert Almora Jr.’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Cubs to a 7-6 win over the Pirates at Wrigley Field. Jason Heyward homered and drove in three runs for Chicago. The Cubs earned their fourth consecutive playoff berth when the Cardinals lost to the Brewers. They remain a half-game ahead of Milwaukee in the NL Central.
(Chicago, IL) — Cubs manager Joe Maddon says he’s finally read the blog detailing allegations of physical and emotional abuse by shortstop Addison Russell against his ex-wife. Speaking before yesterday’s game against the Pirates, Maddon said domestic violence is horrible and that he felt Melisa Reidy-Russell’s pain. The skipper said he had no plans to read the blog earlier this week during his weekly radio appearance. Addison Russell is on paid administrative leave while Major League Baseball investigates.
>Cardinals Swept By Brewers
(St. Louis, MO) — Travis Shaw had a pair of RBI singles as the Brewers topped the Cardinals 2-1 at Busch Stadium. Chasen Shreve took the loss as Milwaukee swept the three-game series and secured a spot in the postseason. The Cards now trail the Dodgers by one game for the second NL wild card spot with three games remaining.
>>White Sox Shut Down Jose Abreu For Rest Of Season
(Chicago, IL) — White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu [[ ah-BRAY-oo ]] is done for the season. The team has shut him down while an infection in his leg continues to heal. Abreu won’t travel with the club for the season’s final series in Minnesota. He finishes the year with a .265 batting average, 22 homers and 78 RBI.
>>Indians Top White Sox
(Chicago, IL) — Shane Bieber tossed six shutout innings as the Indians cruised to a 10-2 win over the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox scored both their runs in the bottom of the ninth on RBI singles by Kevan Smith and Adam Engel. The South Siders are off today before traveling to Minnesota to begin their final series of the season tomorrow against the Twins.
>>Rockies’ Marquez Ties Strikeout Record
(Denver, CO) — Rockies pitcher German Marquez [[ hair-MAHN mar-KEZ ]] is in the history books. He tied the modern-day MLB record for most strikeouts to start a game after whiffing the first eight Phillies he faced in a 14-0 win in Colorado. The record is nine, set by Mickey Welch in 1884. The Rockies are now a half-game ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West.
>>Vikings Visit Rams On TNF
(Los Angeles, CA) — The Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. The Rams are 3-and-0 and one of the hottest teams in the NFL. LA will be without cornerback Aqib Talib, while fellow corner Marcus Peters is questionable. The Vikings are 1-1-and-1 after an embarrassing 27-6 home loss to the previously winless Bills on Sunday.
>>Andre Hal’s Lymphoma In Remission
(Houston, TX) — Andre Hal is winning the battle against cancer. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien announced yesterday that Hal’s lymphoma is in remission, saying it’s a very special day. Hal was diagnosed with the disease in the spring and says he did everything he could to beat it. It isn’t known when the safety will be cleared to start playing football again.
>>Heat-Butler Rumors Getting Hot
(Undated) — The Heat have their eye on a big fish. The New York Times reports disgruntled Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler has made Miami his top preference for a trade destination. The Clippers, Nets and Knicks are also in the running for Butler’s services. The 29-year-old was traded to Minnesota before last season after playing his first six years in Chicago.