Bote Grand Slam Gives Cubs Win, Cards Beat Royals

CHICAGO -- A pinch hit grand slam . . . David Bote came up big Sunday hitting a grand slam with two outs in the ninth and that gave the Chicago Cubs a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.

The Cubs came into the ninth trailing 3-0. Jason Heyward got an infield single to start things and Albert Almora Jr. was hit by a pitch. With one out, Willson Contreras got hit to load the bases. The second out was registered before Bote stepped to the plate nailing a 2-2 pitch that went 442 feet into centerfield and the celebration was on.

The Cubs have now come from behind 37 times this season to lead the National League Central.

For seven innings, it was a pitchers' duel between Cole Hamels and Max Scherzer. Hamels, making his debut for the Cubs, only allowed one run on one hit in his seven innings. He struck out nine and walked one.

Albert Almora Jr. had a double for the Cubs who finished with six hits.

Cardinals 8, Royals 2

This time the Cardinals hitting and pitching came through.

Trailing 2-1 until the seventh, St. Louis finally got on track with three runs, then tacked on a single run in the eighth and three more in the ninth for an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Yadier Molina, making his 20th consecutive start, guided Tyson Ross through six innings of four-hit ball. He then came through with the go-ahead two-run single as the Cardinals swept the Royals.

The Cards are now a season-best eight games above .500.

Paul DeJong nailed a shot out in the ninth with one man on. Jed Gyorko had two singles, Greg Garcia a single, double and an RBI and Patrick Wisdom two singles and an RBI.

Sunday, August 12 Scoreboard

St. Louis 8, Kansas City 2

Chicago Cubs 4, Washington 3

Cleveland 9, Chicago White sox 7

Boston 4, Baltimore 1

Toronto 2, Tampa Bay 1

New York Yankees 7, Texas 2

Detroit 4, Minnesota 2

Arizona 9, Cincinnati 2

New York Mets 4, Miami 3

Atlanta 8, Milwaukee 7

Seattle 4, Houston 3 (F/10)

Colorado 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 3

San Diego 9, Philadelphia 3

San Francisco 4, Pittsburgh 3

Oakland 8, Los Angeles Angels 7

Monday, August 13 Schedule (All Times Central)

Miami at Atlanta, 12:35 p.m.

New York Mets at New York Yankees, 6 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 6:10 p.m.

Cleveland at Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

Miami at Altanta, 6:35 p.m.

Washington at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Arizona at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Toronto at Kansas City, 7;15 p.m.

Seattle at Oakland, 9:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:10 p.m.

Los Angeles Angels at San Diego, 9:10 p.m.