Player of the gameJanson JunkMIA5.0ip 2h 0er 1bb 6k
The Cubs are on the cusp of clinching their second consecutive trip to the postseason, but the champagne will need to be kept on ice at least one more night. The North Siders’ bullpen held the line for a long stretch before a late flurry by the Marlins sent the Cubs to an 8-2 loss in 12 innings at Wrigley Field. With the D-backs beating the Rockies on Tuesday, Chicago remains one win, or one Arizona loss, away from sealing a spot in the playoffs as one of the National League’s Wild Card teams. The Cubs (87-70) are currently tied with the Phillies in the standings, while the Padres (87-69) hold a half-game lead, pending the result of their late game with the Dodgers. Chicago holds the tiebreaker over Philadelphia and San Diego, having won the season series against each team. Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga turned in five solid innings -- his lone setback coming via an RBI single by Agustín Ramírez in the fourth -- and the bullpen was strong for the next six frames, as well. The only blemish prior to the 12th was a solo homer that Kyle Stowers launched against Cubs right-hander Aaron Civale in the sixth. In the 12th, Miami broke through for six runs combined against lefty Caleb Thielbar and righty Edward Cabrera to pull away.
