>>Cubs Top Reds
Evidence of the Reds' growing pains showed in a decisive pitch by rookie John Lamb to Austin Jackson that led to another loss.

Jackson hit a three-run homer in the third inning, Anthony Rizzo added an RBI double and the Chicago Cubs kept alive their slim hopes for home-field advantage in the wild-card game with a 5-3 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday. It was the Reds' 12th straight loss. Chris Denorfia also drove in a run and the Cubs overcame two errors to move within two games of idle Pittsburgh in the race for home field in Wednesday's NL wild-card playoff game. Both teams have three to play - Chicago in Milwaukee and the Pirates against the Reds in Pittsburgh. Jason Hammel (10-7) turned in five shutout innings to match his single-season career high in wins. He allowed five hits and zero walks to reach 10 wins for the fourth time. Hector Rondon, the sixth Cubs reliever, pitched the ninth for his 29th save.

>>KC Tops Sox
Jonny Gomes drove in three runs, and the banged-up Royals moved into a tie with Toronto for the AL's best record with a 6-4 victory over Chicago on Thursday.

John Danks dropped his third consecutive start as Chicago lost for the seventh time in nine games. Danks (7-15) was tagged for six runs and 11 hits - matching a season high - in five innings. Jose Abreu's two-run single in the seventh trimmed Kansas City's lead to 6-4 and gave him 101 RBIs on the year. The Cuban slugger became the second player in major league history with 30 or more homers and 100-plus RBIs in each of his first two seasons, joining Albert Pujols. White Sox: LHP Chris Sale (12-11, 3.48 ERA) needs three strikeouts to break Ed Walsh's season franchise record of 269 set in 1908. Sale faces Detroit RHP Alfredo Simon (13-11, 5.18 ERA) on Friday night.

>> STL Off Thursday. At Atlanta today.
St. Louis Atlanta 7:35 pm Garcia (10-5) - 2.36 ERA Teheran (10-8) - 4.16 ERA