Cubs Eke Out Win, Dodgers Outscore Cardinals

A day after vowing that the Cubs would prevail in their bid to win the National League Central, Javier Baez did his part on Thursday afternoon to make good on his promise.

Baez drove in the go-ahead run on a bunt single, one of three hits and three RBI to help the Cubs to a 4-3, 10-inning victory in a crucial makeup game against the Nationals at Nationals Park.

Baez also blasted his 31st home run and doubled in a run for the first-place Cubs, who moved 1-1/2 games ahead of the idle Brewers. Earlier this week, Milwaukee took two of three from Chicago at Wrigley Field, prompting Baez to promise Wednesday night that no one would beat his team if they played to their level.

The Cubs are back home to play Cincinnati. The game has been moved back to a 7:05 p.m. start to give the Cubs a little more time to chill in the midst of 30 games without a day off.

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The Cardinals' grip on the second National League Wild Card spot got a bit looser Thursday night, as the Dodgers asserted themselves as formidable challengers in that race by opening a four-game series at Busch Stadium with a 9-7 win.

And while it cost the Cardinals a game in the standings--their lead over Los Angeles has been whittled down to one game--there were also some tangible gains.

They made a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner (Clayton Kershaw) look vulnerable and did enough chipping away at what was a seven-run deficit to force Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen into the game in the ninth. Jansen sealed the win, but not before he threw 29 pitches and brought the tying run to the plate.

The pair square off again tonight.