Regeln » Javier Baez is making an argument for NL MVP.It’s turning into

CHICAGO (AP) — With every big swing http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , every defensive gem all over the infield,quite a case.Baez homered and the Chicago Cubs took advantage of huge mistake by Ryan LaMarre, beating the crosstown White Sox 8-3 on Saturday night to increase their lead in the NL Central.Ben Zobrist added two hits and two RBIs as the Cubs moved 2½ games ahead of second-place Milwaukee. Coupled with the Brewers’ 3-0 loss at Pittsburgh, the Cubs lowered their magic number for clinching their third straight division title to six.“We got a long ways to go,” pitcher Jon Lester said when asked about the standings. “I don’t ever want to jump too far ahead on that one.”Lester (17-6) labored through five innings to move into a tie with Washington ace Max Scherzer for the NL lead in wins. The left-hander allowed three runs, two earned, and eight hits in his second straight victory.With the Cubs looking to hold off the hard-charging Brewers, Baez delivered once again. He hit a screaming liner for a two-run homer in the first and a run-scoring single in a three-run ninth. He has 34 homers and an NL-best 110 RBIs.“I feel like I can slow down a little bit and let the game come back to me,” he said, “and the pitchers, make them throw more strikes. That’s what I’ve been doing and it’s been working.”Tim Anderson connected for the White Sox, who lost for the fourth time in six games. Lucas Giolito (10-12) was charged with five runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings at Guaranteed Rate Field.Anderson’s leadoff drive in the third tied it at 2 and made him the first shortstop in franchise history with at least 20 homers and 20 steals in a single season. But LaMarre’s defensive miscue in the fifth helped the Cubs grab control.With one out and runners on first and second, Daniel Murphy hit a drive to left field. LaMarre broke in on the ball and it sailed over his head for an RBI double. Zobrist followed with a bouncer up the middle for a two-run single http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , giving the Cubs a 5-2 lead.“Basically I didn’t think he hit it as well as he did,” LaMarre said. “So I took a couple steps in, lost it in the lights just for a split-second. When it came out, it still had a little bit of steam on it, so it was a misread, a mistake, and I feel terrible.”The White Sox got one back on Matt Davidson’s RBI single in the bottom half of the inning. But Carl Edwards Jr., Jesse Chavez, Justin Wilson and Steve Cishek closed it out for the Cubs, combining for hitless relief after Lester departed.THEY GONEAnderson and White Sox manager Rick Renteria were ejected by umpire Joe West in the ninth after a hard slide by Baez into second helped break up a potential double play. Anderson also committed a throwing error, allowing Zobrist to score.Asked about West, Anderson responded: “I don’t have much to say about him. Everybody knows he’s terrible. But I didn’t say much. He threw me out. It’s OK.”MAKING MOVESThe Cubs selected Mike Freeman’s contract from Triple-A Iowa to provide some infield depth after Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave Friday following fresh allegations of domestic violence from his ex-wife. Russell has said the allegations are “completely false.”Freeman’s wife, Caroline Andrew Chafin Jersey , is pregnant with their first child, a girl. She is due Oct. 1.“She’s been great with it all. Knew this was a possibility,” he said. “I feel like I’m definitely more nervous about it than she was. She was excited for the opportunity and very gracious and very encouraging to me, which is a huge testament to her.”TRAINER’S ROOMCubs: OF Kyle Schwarber (lower back) went 2 for 3 with a walk while serving as the designated hitter for the second straight day. Manager Joe Maddon said he isn’t sure if Schwarber will be ready to play the field when the Cubs open a four-game series against Pittsburgh on Monday.White Sox: INF Leury García was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. He had been sidelined by a strained left hamstring. … It’s unclear if 1B Jose Abreu will play again this season. Abreu was treated for a right thigh infection at a Cleveland hospital on Tuesday. “We’ll see how it goes in the next few days,” Renteria said.UP NEXTCubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks (12-11, 3.58 ERA) and White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (6-6, 3.30 ERA) pitch Sunday in the series finale. Hendricks is 3-1 with a 1.42 ERA in his last five starts. Rodon has struggled in September, going 0-3 with a 5.25 ERA in four outings. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Athletics manager Bob Melvin feels a lot better about his starting rotation than he did four days ago.Oakland right-hander Frankie Montas feels pretty good, too, if for no other reason than knowing he won’t have to pitch against Khris Davis anytime soon.Davis homered for the fourth time in six games, Montas became the latest A’s starter to stymie the Angels, and Oakland beat Los Angeles 2-1 on Sunday.Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman had two hits apiece for the A’s Alex Avila Jersey , who took three of four from the Angels after getting swept by Seattle in a two-game series in Tokyo to start the season.“That’s what winning teams do, they win the close games,” Semien said. “We didn’t have a great offensive day but it felt like we had a great team day. Frankie was throwing really hard and our bullpen did what they do. That’s a good thing for us.”Montas (1-0) pitched into the seventh inning, allowed three hits and struck out six in a splendid outing for the young right-hander. He gave up a leadoff double and hit Mike Trout with a pitch to begin the game, then retired 16 straight batters before Kole Calhoun connected for a two-out homer in the sixth.That followed strong outings by fellow A’s starters Mike Fiers, Marco Estrada and Brett Anderson, each of whom pitched six scoreless innings against the Angels.“We didn’t have enough spring to really think that this could potentially happen,” Melvin said. “I don’t think you ever envision early in the season four guys going out there and giving you the results like that. Frankie was the one guy that we thought was coming along.”Calhoun’s homer was the first by the Angels this season and the only run they scored off an Oakland starter in 24 innings during the series. Los Angeles was held to two runs or fewer in three of the four games.“I certainly credit their pitching,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “We just aren’t hitting on all cylinders right now as an offense. We just aren’t clicking.”Davis remained the hottest A’s hitter with his third home run in four days, a towering shot off starter Tyler Skaggs (0-1) leading off the fourth. The slugger led the majors with 48 home runs in 2018.Montas, who bounced back and forth between the minors and majors last season, hasn’t had to face Davis. For that he is thankful.“Every pitcher that steps on the mound and has to face Khris Davis, their heart is pumping hard http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey ,” Montas said. “Either he’s going to hit a home run or he’s going to get you good. It’s tough. I feel sorry for them. Thank God we’re on the same team.”Semien doubled in the fifth and scored on Chapman’s two-out single.Lou Trivino retired three batters after Montas allowed a leadoff double in the seventh. Joakim Soria pitched the eighth and Blake Treinen worked the ninth for his second save.Skaggs took a scoreless streak of 17 1/3 innings at the Coliseum into the game before Davis’ home run. The Angels left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out two, giving him 400 for his career.STINGY ‘PENThe Angels’ bullpen has not allowed a run this season, a streak of 12 2/3 innings.EVEN STINGIER CLOSERTreinen has not permitted a run in four appearances this season, extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings dating to 2018. Treinen has a streak of 24 shutout innings at the Coliseum.TROUT LOVES FACING OAKLANDThe Angels’ seven-time All-Star has feasted on A’s pitching over the years and got off to another good start in this series, going 4 for 12 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Trout didn’t homer in the series but has hit at least one against Oakland in each of the last seven seasons.TRAINER’S ROOMAngels: Albert Pujols did not start but grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. … RHP Jesus Castillo cleared waivers and was sent outright to Double-A Mobile. Castillo was designated for assignment last week to make room for OF Brian Goodwin.Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt (bruised right leg) threw 40 pitches in a side session before the game. Melvin said Bassitt might face hitters in the next step of his rehab program.UP NEXTAngels: RHP Chris Stratton, acquired in a trade with San Francisco, makes his Angels debut Monday in Seattle. Stratton went 10-10 with a 5.09 ERA last season.Athletics: RHP Aaron Brooks faces the Red Sox in the opener of a four-game series Monday at the Coliseum. Brooks has pitched against Boston once, as a reliever in 2015.