Cardinals Avoid Sweep Against Cubs

Addison Russell's fly ball in the eighth inning Sunday might be the most important play in baseball so far this year. St. Louis star catcher Yadier Molina suffered a sprained left thumb on the play as the Cubs ran themselves out of late scoring chances and the Cardinals ended Chicago's five-game winning streak and avoided a sweep with a 4-3 win Sunday.

The Cardinals moved six games ahead of Chicago in the NL Central. The Pirates beat the Dodgers on Sunday to remain four games behind St. Louis.

Molina was injured tagging out Anthony Rizzo on Russell's sacrifice-fly attempt in the eighth. Right fielder Jason Heyward had the assist, throwing out Rizzo on the no-out, bases-loaded fly for a double play.

Molina said he'll have an MRI on the thumb Monday. Manager Mike Matheny went out to talk to Molina after the play, but Molina remained in the game for the remainder of the half inning before being replaced for pinch-hitter Matt Adams the next inning.

The Cubs ran into another out in the ninth. Starlin Castro led off with a single, but pinch-runner Quintin Berry was thrown out trying to steal second by Molina's replacement, Tony Cruz.

Indians 6, White Sox 3

With two weeks left in the regular season, the Cleveland Indians still have a chance to make the playoffs. Just not a good chance. The Indians (74-74) trail Houston by four games with 14 to play for the AL's second wild card following Sunday's 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Josh Tomlin pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and Lonnie Chisenhall had a two-run homer and three RBI. While Cleveland (74-74) remained four games behind the Astros (79-71), they also trail the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota, who are both 76-73. The Indians have alternated wins and losses over their past eight games.

"Because of how we played earlier, we have to make up ground," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We've played well enough where these games are so meaningful."

Cleveland completed a 6-4 homestand and opens a three-game series in Minnesota after a day off.

Sunday, September 20 Scoreboard

Boston 4, Toronto 3

Kansas City 10, Detroit 3

Cleveland 6, Chicago White Sox 3

Tampa Bay 7, Baltimore 6

Atlanta 2, Philadelphia 1

Washington 13, Miami 3

Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 4

Minnesota 8, Los Angeles Angels 1

Houston 5, Oakland 1

St. Louis 4, Chicago Cubs 3

Seattle 9, Texas 2

San Francisco 5, Arizona 1

Pittsburgh 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 3

San Diego 10, Colorado 4

New York Yankees 11, New York Mets 2

Monday, September 21 Schedule (All Times Central)

Chicago at Detroit, 12:08 p.m.

Baltimore at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

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

Chicago at Detroit, 6:08 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Boston, 6:10 p.m.

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

Milwaukee at Chicago, 7:05 p.m.

Los Angeles at Houston, 7:10 p.m.

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

Pittsburgh at Colorado, 7:40 p.m.

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