Cubs Claim Seventh Straight, Pirates Down Cardinals

Kyle Schwarber says he feels as if the Chicago Cubs are involved in a playoff game every day. Based on how he and his teammates are doing, it's looking more and more as if they might reach the actual postseason.

Schwarber hit two homers and drove in four runs, Jon Lester won his fourth straight decision and the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-2 Thursday for their seventh victory in a row.

The Cubs, holding the lead for the second NL wild-card spot, completed their first undefeated homestand of at least seven games since 2008. They began this stay at Wrigley Field by sweeping four from San Francisco, then took three from the Brewers.

"That's the mindset that we need to have, is we're playing in the playoffs every day," Schwarber said.

Schwarber, Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rizzo each homered in the fifth inning as Chicago won for the 13th time in 14 games. The Cubs' winning streak is their longest since 2011.

"That's the mindset that we need to have, is we're playing in the playoffs every day," Schwarber said.

Schwarber, Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rizzo each homered in the fifth inning as Chicago won for the 13th time in 14 games. The Cubs' winning streak is their longest since 2011.

Pirates 10, Cardinals 5

Pittsburgh first baseman Pedro Alvarez insists his success against the St. Louis Cardinals is a fluke.

"The level and the focus that I have against them is the same as I have against everyone else," he said, "I treat the game pitch by pitch, just like I do in every game."

Whatever the reason, Alvarez continues to pound on the NL Central leaders.

He blasted a two-run homer in a seven-run first inning on Thursday night to help the Pirates break an eight-game losing streak at Busch Stadium with a 10-5 win over St. Louis.

The Pirates moved within six games of the Cardinals with their 12th victory in the last 18 games.

Thursday, August 13 Scoreboard

New York Mets 12, Colorado 3

Toronto 4, Oakland 2

Texas 6, Minnesota 5

Chicago Cubs 9, Milwaukee 2

New York Yankees 8, Cleveland 6

Pittsburgh 10, St. Louis 5

Los Angeles Angels 7, Kansas City 6

Cincinnati 10, Los Angeles Dodgers 3

San Francisco 3, Washington 1

Friday, August 14 Schedule (All Times Central)

Chicago at Chicago, 3:10 p.m.

Oakland at Baltimore, 6:05 p.m.

New York at Toronto, 6:07 p.m.

Seattle at Boston, 6:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at New York, 6:10 p.m.

Arizona at Atlanta, 6:35 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Los Angeles at Kansas City, 7:10 p.m.

Philadelphia at Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.

Cleveland at Minnesota, 7:10 p.m.

Detroit at Houston, 7:10 p.m.

Miami at St. Louis, 7:15 p.m.

San Diego at Colorado, 7:40 p.m.

Cincinnati at Los Angeles, 9:10 p.m.

Washington at San Francisco, 9:15 p.m.