NL Central race: September 7, 2008

MLB.com: Wood’s blown save costs Cubs

Jolbert Cabrera hit a tie-breaking RBI single with one out in the ninth inning Sunday to lift the Reds to a 4-3 victory over the Cubs.

Trailing 3-1, Edwin Encarnacion singled and advanced to second on Jim Edmonds’ error to open the Reds’ ninth against Kerry Wood—who was pitching for the first time since Sept. 2. Jay Bruce walked, and Encarnacion was out as first baseman Derrek Lee scooped up Ryan Hanigan’s bunt and threw to third. Wood walked pinch-hitter Javier Valentin to load the bases, and Chris Dickerson—scratched from the starting lineup—bounced the ball to short, but it deflected off Ronny Cedeno’s glove for an error, allowing two runs to score to tie the game.

MLB.com: Parra struggles, bats fall silent in loss

Chris Young came excruciatingly close to the 18th perfect game in Major League history, and the San Diego Padres thoroughly shellacked the Brewers on Sunday, taking a 10-1 decision and forcing Milwaukee to settle for a series split against the last-place team in the National League West.

Young retired every batter he faced for 7 2/3 innings, but Gabe Kapler hit a two-out homer to left to salvage an otherwise abysmal offensive day.

CHC 86-57
MIL 82-61 (4 GB; lead wildcard by 4)