Miami Marlins stymie Chicago's push for NL wild card with 8-2 victory over the Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) — Griffin Conine drove in Esteury Ruiz with a tiebreaking single in Miami's six-run 12th inning, and the Marlins stymied Chicago's push for an NL wild card with an 8-2 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday night.

Conine put Miami ahead to stay with his well-placed blooper to left field. Jakob Marsee added a run-scoring single, and Joe Mack capped the outburst with a two-run single.

Kyle Stowers hit a solo homer for the Marlins (77-80), who had lost three in a row. Josh Ekness (3-4) pitched a scoreless inning for the win.

The Cubs (87-70) could have clinched a playoff berth with a win or an Arizona loss, but the Diamondbacks won 7-2 at Colorado.

Chicago, San Diego and Philadelphia are tied atop the wild-card standings for all three NL spots. The Phillies posted a 6-4 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and the Padres lost 7-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs had a chance to win the game in the 10th, loading the bases with two down. But Miami second baseman Javier Sanoja robbed Pedro Ramírez of a game-ending single with a terrific sliding stop.

Caleb Thielbar (3-4) was charged with the loss.

Chicago played without third baseman Alex Bregman, who is recovering from multiple facial fractures after he was struck in the face by a foul ball. The three-time All-Star could return to the lineup before the end of the regular season this weekend.

Miami jumped in front when Stowers doubled and scored on Agustín Ramírez's single in the fourth. Stowers added his 20th homer in the sixth.

Chicago rallied in the bottom half, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Michael Busch then hit a hard grounder to first, but Mack mishandled Deyvison De Los Santos' throw to the plate and Pete Crow-Armstrong scampered home with the Cubs' first run. One batter later, Ian Happ hit a tying single off Calvin Faucher.

Ryan Gusto (1-5, 4.14 ERA) starts for Miami on Wednesday night, and fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (9-12, 4.55) pitches for Chicago.

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Miami Marlins' Agustin Ramirez watches his RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates after stealing second base during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Miami Marlins' Kyle Stowers celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring on a Agustin Ramirez single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Miami Marlins' Kyle Stowers celebrates after scoring on a Agustin Ramirez single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

SEATTLE (AP) — Yordan Alvarez resumed his Triple Crown push with a home run and three RBIs as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 7-0 on Tuesday night to pull even with Texas atop the AL West.

Houston snapped a three-game skid and tied the Rangers at 78-79 following their 6-3 loss to the New York Mets at home. Both teams have five games remaining, and the Astros hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Seattle (73-84) is on the brink of playoff elimination, one season after winning the AL West for the first time in 24 years and coming within one victory of the franchise's first World Series appearance.

Alvarez hit a two-run shot to right field in the seventh inning to tie Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League lead with 41 homers. Alvarez is first in batting average at .314 and he has 102 RBIs, six behind Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso for most in the AL.

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) speaks with catcher Cal Raleigh (29) in the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) reacts after hitting a double in the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) reacts after hitting a RBI single in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits an RBI single in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)