Greinke just misses shutout as Dodgers win

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Zack Greinke came within one strike of his fifth career shutout, Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig homered, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-2 Monday night, ending a two-game skid.

The Cubs lost for the eighth straight time to the Dodgers, including a four-game sweep at Wrigley Field earlier this month. The Dodgers equaled their longest winning streak against the Cubs in franchise history, set from June 9, 1974-May 19, 1975.

Greinke (13-3) tied his season high with nine strikeouts and he walked two while improving to 5-0 this month. The right-hander has won 10 of 11 decisions since June 22.

Greinke helped himself offensively, too, with a two-out hit in the fourth that scored the Dodgers’ first run.

After giving up a single to Starlin Castro to open the game, Greinke retired the next 13 batters before Donnie Murphy singled in the fifth.

Cardinals outlast Reds

ST. LOUIS (AP) ― The St. Louis Cardinals needed a big hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning on Monday night. Fortunately for them, they had Allen Craig at the plate.

Craig hit his first career grand slam, helping the Cardinals rally for an 8-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Matt Holliday also had a long three-run homer as St. Louis moved into sole possession of first place in the NL Central for the first time since July 29. The Cardinals lead idle Pittsburgh by a half-game and Cincinnati by 3 1/2 games in the top-heavy division.

Craig is 7 for 10 with 20 RBIs this season with the bases full.

“I think I’ve developed a pretty good approach that allows me to be successful in that position,” Craig said. “I go up there confident and I believe in myself.”

Kansas City 11, Tampa Bay 1

Toronto 5, NY Yankees 2

Oakland 8, Detroit 6

Philadelphia 2, NY Mets 1

Houston 10, Chicago White Sox 8

Colorado 6, San Francisco 1

Arizona 6, San Diego 1

Texas 8, Seattle 3