Cubs Down Reds, Cardinals, Pirates Postponed

A rested Dan Haren gave the Chicago Cubs what they expected when they traded for him in July. Haren pitched into the eighth inning on Tuesday night, and Miguel Montero doubled home two runs during Chicago's four-run first inning, leading the Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds following a long rain delay.

The Cubs already have clinched a spot in the NL wild-card game for their first playoff berth since 2008. They trail Pittsburgh by three games for home-field advantage. The Pirates' game against first-place St. Louis was rained out on Tuesday.

Haren (10-9) made his 10th start for the Cubs, who acquired him in a trade with Miami on July 31. The right-hander allowed three hits in 7 1/3 scoreless innings, struck out six and didn't walk a batter. Travis Wood got a game-ending double play for his third save in as many chances.

Haren hadn't pitched since Sept. 18, using his time away from the mound to rest and work on his pitches.

"I got traded here and I haven't pitched as well as in Miami," Haren said. "The last few times out have been a lot better. I'm confident I can get the job done."

The Reds lost their season-high 10th straight game, their longest slump since they dropped 11 straight in 1998. They have got a bad combination: An all-rookie rotation and an offense in a deep slump. Josh Smith (0-3) gave up four runs, six hits and five walks in five innings.

Cardinals vs. Pirates

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates contest was postponed Tuesday.

White Sox 4, Royals 2

Scoring runs hasn't come easy for the Kansas City Royals recently. Jeff Samardzija didn't make it any easier Tuesday night. Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales hit back-to-back homers and Johnny Cueto threw six quality innings, but the Royals lost to Samardzija and the Chicago White Sox 4-2.

The Royals, who have lost four of their last five, fell behind 3-0 after Adam Eaton drove a two-run homer into the bullpen in right field off Cueto (10-13) in the fifth inning.

Cueto lost for the third time in his four September outings and gave up three runs and eight hits over six innings. He struck out two and walked two.

Still a Royals offense that hadn't scored in 17 innings during a three-game stretch that included Kansas City being shut out 1-0 in 11 innings by the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, didn't do much to help Cueto -- or the Royals.

Tuesday's loss dropped the AL Central champions to 10-17 in September. After beginning the month with a 6 1-2 game lead over Toronto for the best record in the AL, the Royals now trail the Blue Jays by 1 1-2 games with five games remaining in the regular season.

Angels 8, Giants 0

Clayton Kershaw lingered on the field a few moments longer than the rest of his Los Angeles teammates, then looked up at the cheering fans in Dodger Blue, smiled and tipped his cap before quickly disappearing into the dugout and heading off to celebrate.

Kershaw pitched the big-money Dodgers to their third straight National League West title, tossing a one-hitter as Los Angeles beat Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants 8-0 on Tuesday night.

Kershaw allowed just a third-inning single and struck out 13, and now he'll get a chance to erase those sour postseason memories as the Dodgers (88-69) advance to face the NL East champion New York Mets in a best-of-five division series.

"I've been through it now a bunch; I think this is my fifth postseason now," Kershaw said. "I don't know if you can get wiser from failing all the time. I know what that feels like."

Tuesday, September 29 Scoreboard

Boston 10, New York Yankees 4

Toronto at Baltimore, Postponed

Philadelphia 4, New York Mets 3

St. Louis at Pittsburgh, Postponed

Minnesota at Cleveland, Postponed

Atlanta 2, Washington 1

Chicago Cubs 4, Cincinnati 1

Tampa Bay 4, Miami 2

Texas 7, Detroit 6

Chicago White Sox 4, Kansas City 2

Arizona 4, Colorado 3 (F/11)

Los Angeles Angels 8, Oakland 1

Seattle 6, Houston 4

Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 8, San Francisco 0

Wednesday, September 30 Schedule (All Times Central)

St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.

Toronto at Baltimore, 3:05 p.m.

Minnesota at Cleveland, 3:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

Oakland at Los Angeles, 6:05 p.m.

Boston at New York, 6:05 p.m.

New York at Philadelphia, 6:05 p.m.

Toronto at Baltimore, 6:05 p.m.

Washington at Atlanta, 6:10 p.m.

Chicago at Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

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

Minnesota at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Detroit at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Chicago, 7:10 p.m.

Colorado at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.

Los Angeles at San Francisco, 9 p.m.

Houston at Seattle, 9:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at San Diego, 9:10 p.m.