CINCINNATI — Phillip Ervin homered leading off the 11th inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Philadelphia, 4-3, Thursday to drop the Phillies 3½ games behind the Chicago Cubs for the NL’s second wild card.
Ervin hit an opposite-field drive to right off Nick Vincent (1-3) that barely eluded Bryce Harper’s attempt at a leaping catch. Ervin’s sixth home run this season and the second game-ending homer of his career gave the Reds their second straight win and a four-game split.
Matt Bowman (2-0) pitched the 11th for the win. Reds starter Sonny Gray allowed one run and four hits in six innings.
ST. LOUIS — Dakota Hudson pitched six innings of one-hit ball and hit a two-run single for his first big league RBIs, helping St. Louis rout San Francisco to open a three-game lead over second-place Chicago in the NL Central.
Paul DeJong hit an early two-run homer, and Paul Goldschmidt singled and scored twice for the Cardinals, who for the sixth time in seven games.
CLEVELAND — Reynaldo López pitched a one-hitter for his first complete game in 75 career big league starts, and Chicago beat Cleveland.
Cleveland lost for the fifth time in seven games.
The Indians began the day 5½ games behind AL Central-leading Minnesota and tied with Oakland for the second AL wild card, a half-game behind Tampa Bay.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jordy Mercer put the Tigers ahead with their third home run of the fourth inning, and Detroit overcame a three-run deficit in a victory for the first time this year by beating Kansas City.
OAKLAND, Calif. — Robbie Grossman hit a two-run triple over the head of center fielder Mike Trout as part of a seven-run eighth inning when the Athletics benefited from four consecutive walks, and Oakland rallied to beat Los Angeles to complete a three-game sweep.