Daniel Ponce de Leon pitched one-hit ball over six innings, Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 to split their doubleheader Friday night.
In the opener, Christian Yelich homered and Brent Suter combined with Devin Williams and Josh Hader on a five-hitter for the Brewers in a 3-0 win.
The first place Cubs beat the White Sox, and the Reds clinched a playoff spot beating Minnesota 7-2. The Cardinals are just one percentage point ahead of Cincinnati, and they’re both three games behind the Cubs. The Reds have won one more game than the Cardinals. Fourth place Milwaukee is 4 games out of first.
The Brewers and Cardinals will battle again Saturday, Adam Wainwright will go for St. Louis, 5:10 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:05 on KIRX.