Cincy Takes Title, Then Beats Phils

National League

The Cincinnati Reds found out right before the game that they’d clinched the N.L. Central title, then got a two-run double from Bret Boone in the ninth inning to rally past the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Friday night.

Because of the intricacies of the new wild card playoff setup, the Reds were unaware they had actually won the division late Thursday night when Los Angeles lost to San Diego 5-1.

Rockies 6, Giants 1 San Francisco

Dante Bichette hit his 38th homer and Kevin Ritz combined with two relievers on a two-hitter as Colorado beat San Francisco.

Dodgers 6, Padres 5 Los Angeles

Eric Karros hit a two-run homer, reaching the 100 RBI mark for the first time in his career, and Los Angeles held on for a victory over San Diego to remain 1-1/2 games behind Colorado in the N.L. West. The Rockies play a three-game series at Dodger Stadium beginning Monday night.

Cubs 6, Pirates 3 Chicago

Kevin Foster allowed just two hits in eight innings, and Scott Servais hit a go-ahead, two-run double as Chicago beat Pittsburgh.

Cardinals 3, Astros 0 Houston

Allen Watson allowed four hits in eight innings and Ray Lankford hit a two-run homer as St. Louis beat Houston and slowed the Astros’ bid for a wild card spot.

Braves 5, Expos 1 Atlanta

Tom Glavine allowed four hits in seven innings to earn his 16th victory, and four Montreal errors led to three unearned runs as Atlanta beat Montreal.

Marlins 3, Mets 0 Miami

Pat Rapp pitched his second straight shutout and tied a club record with his eighth consecutive victory as the Florida beat New York.

McClatchy counting cash

Kevin McClatchy, such a longshot to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates that he was given only two weeks to make a bid, said he has the cash and will present a formal offer to the team’s owners on Monday.