Cubs Edge Braves, Cardinals Blank Pirates

ATLANTA -- The Chicago Cubs put together key hits and pulled out a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves Thursday.

The Cubs took a 2-0 second inning lead as Ben Zobrist hit a double. The Pirates got the 4-3 lead in the fifth with three runs but the Cubs came back with two in the sixth on a Tommy LaStella home run with one on board.

Willson Contreras had a double and drove in two runs.

The Cubs now have a 4 1/2 game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central Division.

Cardinals 5, Pirates 0

The St. Louis Cardinals struck in the third with 2 runs and went on to blank the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium Thursday.

John Gant not only picked up the pitching win, going 5 2/3 innings, allwoing three hits, three walks and striking out six. He also banged out a solo homer in the third.

Harrison Bader added a solo shot, also in the third. Yadier Molina had a double and Jose Martinez two singles and two RBI.

The Cardinals have won 10 straight series and won more games in a month with 21 since 2004.

Astros Give Manager Hinch New Contract

The Houston Astros have given manager A.J. Hinch a new contract that keeps him in the dugout through the 2022 season. Hinch's contract was up after this year.

Price Visits Hand Specialist

Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price visited a hand specialist Thursday after he was hit on his left wrist by a line drive in Wednesday night’s game against Miami. However, manager Alex Cora said he isn’t sure when Price will make his next start.

Yankees' Stantion Hits 300th Home Run

The New York Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton hit his 300th career home run last night against the Detroit Tigers. Stanton became the 147th player to reach the mark, and the fifth-fastest to do so.

The New York Yankees have reportedly acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the San Francisco Giants for infielder Abiatal Avelino and a minor leaguer.

Cubs, Twins Swap Catchers

The Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs have swapped catchers. The Twins sent Bobby Wilson to the Cubs for Chris Gimenez and a player to be named or cash.

Thursday, August 30 Scoreboard

Chicago Cubs 5, Atlanta 4

St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 0

Boston 9, Chicago White Sox 4

Milwaukee 2, Cincinnati 1 (F/11)

Cleveland 5, Minnesota 3

Detroit 8, New York Yankees 7

Los Angeles Angels 5, Houston 2

Seattle 7, Oakland 1

Arizona 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 1

San Diego 3, Colorado 2 (F/13)

Friday, August 31 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at New York Yankees, 6 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, 6:05 p.m.

Milwaukee at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Toronto at Miami, 6:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 6:35 p.m.

Minnesota at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Los Angeles Angels at houston, 7:10 p.m.

Boston at Chicago White Sox, 7:10 p.m.

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

Baltimroe at Kansas City, 7:15 p.m.

Seattle at Oakland, 9:05 p.m.

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

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

New York Mets at San Francisco, 9:15 p.m.

Saturday, September 1 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at New York Yankees, 3:05 p.m.

New York Mets at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, 6:05 p.m.

Milwaukee at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Boston at Chicago White sox, 6:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 6:10 p.m.

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

Toronto at Miami, 6:10 p.m.

Cincinnati at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

Baltimore at Kansas City, 6:15 p.m.

Minnesota at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

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

Seattle at Oakland, 8:05 p.m.

Arizona at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8:10 p.m.

Sunday, September 2 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at New York Yankees, 12:05 p.m.

Toronto at Miami, 12:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, 12:35 p.m.

Milwaukee at Washington, 12:35 p.m.

Boston at Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m.

Cincinnati at St. Louis, 1:15 p.m.

Baltimore at Kansas City, 1:15 p.m.

Minnesota at Texas, 2:05 p.m.

Seattle at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.

New York Mets at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Cleveland, 3:10 p.m.

Colorado at San Diego, 3:10 p.m.

Arizona at Los Angeles Dodgers, 3:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 4:05 p.m.