Crew rallies to briefly delay Cubs’ Central clinch

CHICAGO — The Brewers temporarily spoiled the Cubs’ party plans on Thursday night, but Chicago still celebrated a National League Central title for the first time since 2008 once the Cardinals fell to the Giants later in the night.

Pinch-hitter Scooter Gennett smacked a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning to lift the Brewers to a 5-4 victory at Wrigley Field, putting the celebration on ice for a night, at least.

Chicago manager Joe Maddon said before the game that he did not expect the players to wait at Wrigley Field for the outcome of that game, especially with a 1:20 p.m. CT start on Friday. Last year, the Cubs secured a postseason berth as one of the NL Wild Card teams after the Giants lost on the West Coast.

Jorge Soler revved up the crowd of 41,362 at Wrigley when he hit a two-run homer in the Chicago second, but the lead was short-lived. Milwaukee took a one-run lead in fourth before the Cubs tied it later in the inning.

The game remained tied at 3 in the Brewers’ seventh when Domingo Santana doubled to lead off the inning against Justin Grimm. One out later, Martin Maldonado walked and Gennett, batting for starter Jimmy Nelson, lined a double down the left-field line. Grimm had given up one run over 22 2/3 innings in his previous 28 appearances. It was the Brewers’ first win at Wrigley in seven games this season, and they trail the season series, 10-6.

The Cubs closed to 5-4 with two outs in the eighth on Jason Heyward’s RBI double, and had two on, but Tyler Thornburg struck out rookie Willson Contreras to end the inning.

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