Cubs edge Brews 7-6 on Lee’s 12th-inning single (AP)
CHICAGO - Geovany Soto hit a tying three-run homer with two out in the ninth inning, Derrek Lee singled in the winning run in the 12th and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6 on Thursday to move closer to the NL Central title.
The Cubs’ magic number for winning their second straight division championship was reduced to two as they sent the Brewers to a crushing defeat.
The Brewers, who began the day just a half-game back of the NL wild card-leading New York Mets, took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth before Chicago staged an improbable four-run rally with two outs against Salomon Torres, capped by Soto’s three-run drive.
Pinch-hitter Daryle Ward led off the 12th with a walk and was replaced at first by Jason Marquis, who moved up on Reed Johnson’s sacrifice. Alfonso Soriano was intentionally walked before Ryan Theriot flied out, sending Marquis to third.
Lee then singled to center off Carlos Villanueva (4-7), leading to a raucous scene at Wrigley Field.
Kerry Wood (5-4) pitched two innings, escaping a second-and-third, no-out predicament in the top of the 12th for the win.
J.J. Hardy singled leading off the 12th and Corey Hart doubled for the Brewers. With the infield drawn in, Craig Counsell grounded out with the runners holding. When Jason Kendall hit a bouncer to third, Aramis Ramirez threw home and Hardy was caught in a rundown and tagged for the second out. Pinch-hitter Joe Dillon then grounded out.
With the Cubs down 6-2 in the bottom of the ninth and down to their last out, Ramirez hit a sinking liner to left that got through
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(Reuters)
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