Cubs score 3 in 8th, rally past Braves 3-1
Dioner Navarro hit a tiebreaking single in a three-run eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat Atlanta 3-1 Saturday to keep the Braves on the brink of the NL East championship.
Atlanta’s magic number remained at one to clinch its first division title since 2005. Second-place Washington hosted Miami later Saturday.
Starlin Casto singled off Kris Medlen with one out in the eighth, pinch-hitter Donnie Murphy singled against Scott Downs (4-4) and Anthony Rizzo hit a tying double down the left-field line.
Navarro singled in the go-ahead run against David Carpenter, and Nate Schierholtz added a sacrifice fly.
Carlos Villanueva (7-8) relieved Travis Wood with two on and no outs in the eighth after Justin Upton doubled and Freddie Freeman walked. Villanueva induced a double-play grounder by Chris Johnson and a fly out by Evan Gattis.
Pedro Strop finished for his first save in four chances.
Atlanta went ahead in the fourth when Freeman walked and scored on Gattis’ single.
Medlen, 4-0 with an 0.98 ERA in his previous four starts, allowed one run and six hits in 7 1-3 innings. Wood gave up one run, five hits and four walks in seven innings with seven strikeouts.
NOTES: Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said OF Jason Heyward “was feeling great,” a day after Heyward returned from the disabled list. Heyward was not in the lineup on Saturday after going 0 for 2 with a walk in his first appearance since breaking his jaw on Aug. 21 because of a broken jaw. ... The Cubs unveiled a logo to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field in 2014. It shows the ballpark’s familiar marquee and facade with “100 years 1914-2014.” The logo, which will be featured as a patch on the team’s home uniform next season, was submitted by Brandon Ort of New Bremen, Ohio, as part of a fan contest before the season. ... RHP Julio Teheran (12-8, 3.14 ERA) starts Sunday for Atlanta, with RHP Edwin Jackson (8-16, 4.75) pitching for Chicago.