The Chicago Cubs scored 13 runs against the Cardinals on Friday to extend their winning streak to 11 games. They pulled 14 games ahead of scuffling St. Louis in the NL Central and improved the best record in the majors to 73-41.
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Chicago Cubs’ Dexter Fowler, left, looks up at umpire Ron Kulpa after being called out trying to steal second base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Chicago. Reyes then threw three innings of one-hit ball, striking out three and walking one to earn the win.
The Cardinals won the NL Central a year ago with a 100-62 record while the Cubs scratched their way to a 97-65 mark and an NL wild card spot.
Carl Edwards Jr. (0-1) allowed five runs while getting only two outs. Cardinals 2B Jedd Gyorko’s home run Saturday was his 10th since July 18 – most in the majors. 3. (0-1) to begin the eighth, and he allowed two runs on four walks, a single and a wild pitch.
After Dodgers starter Brandon McCarthy was forced from the game in the second inning with right hip stiffness, Josh Fields, Julio Urias (3-2), Joe Blanton, Pedro Baez, Josh Ravin and Kenley Jansen combined to hold Pittsburgh to one run over 7 1/3 innings. Yadier Molina sits on 108 hits with 50 runs and 35 RBI so far.
Nationals 7, Braves 6: Daniel Murphy hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs, and rookie Reynaldo Lopez pitched seven innings for his first major league win. He hasn’t won since July 16 and is 0-2 in his last five starts.
St. Louis immediately placed Holliday on the 15-day disabled list but had not yet made a corresponding roster move Friday. Both runs came on a second-inning blast from All-Star shortstop Addison Russell.
Szczur and Soler hit solo home runs in the sixth off Jerome Williams.
Cardinals: Holliday will decide next week on treatments including surgery or letting the injury heal on its own, according to GM John Mozeliak.
“You probably couldn’t throw them into a hotter spot than what we just threw them into”, manager Mike Matheny said. RHP Trevor Cahill arrived at the Cubs clubhouse on Friday, but has not been activated from the DL after making six starts at Triple-A Iowa in a rehab stint (right knee tendinitis).
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A candidate to replace Holliday in the outfield is Randal Grichuk, who rejoined the early Thursday when he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. Previously Weaver was at Double-A Springfield of the Texas League.
