NEWS » ponent.That heat was very disappointing

CHICAGO -- A National League division title might almost be out of reach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but they remain alive for Octobers postseason party.The Pirates (67-61) are in the thick of the NL wild-card chase after a 3-1 victory on Sunday and four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.Pittsburgh has won five of its last six, is 30-20 in its last 50 games and stands just a half game out of the second wild-card spot.Were going to leave here in a good place, but weve got to show up in Chicago, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said after Sundays win at Miller Park. Well look forward to it. I dont think you could ask for much more here at the end of August. We get to play meaningful games. It should be fun.The Pirates open a three-game series on Monday against the division-leading Cubs (82-47) at Wrigley Field, the start of a seven-game homestand.But theyll be without right-hander Gerrit Cole, originally slated to start in the opener. Cole (7-9) is 0-3 since Aug. 7 and departed Milwaukee on Sunday for Los Angeles and a reported examination of an ailing right elbow.He will miss at least his next start, Pirates GM Neal Huntington told reporters on Sunday.Instead, right-hander Steven Brault (0-1, 3.60 ERA) is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his third career start and third appearance this season with the Pirates.Hes going to be in the big leagues, hes going to be excited to be here, Hurdle said. Its his third start and hes got a little experience doing this. We just want him to pound the zone and mix his pitches. Weve seen him be able to use the fastball to both sides of the plate. Hes an intelligent guy who game plans with the catchers well.Also up from Triple-A Indianapolis is right-handed reliever A.J. Schugel. Originally an expected September call-up, Schugel has a 3.69 ERA in 49 previous appearances this season.Brault faces Cubs ace Jake Arrieta (16-2, 2.62 ERA).After a midsummer slump going 1-4 in seven starts, Arrieta is 4-0 in August and is coming off an eight-inning shutout effort over the Padres on Aug. 23.Arrietas 16 victories top the league and hes 9-2 in his career with a 1.99 ERA in 13 starts against the Pirates, including a 4-1 record at home.He had a similar run in August 2015, going 6-0 in the month and completing the regular season with an 11-0 record en route to NL Cy Young Award honors.The Cubs dropped a 1-0 decision on Sunday to the Los Angeles Dodgers to conclude a 5-4 West Coast swing but maintain a 14-game lead over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals and are 14 1/2 ahead of the Pirates. With 33 games to play, the Cubs own baseballs winningest record and their division lead is the big leagues largest.Along with the three-game series at Chicago, the Cubs and Pirates will play a four-game set Sept. 26-29 at PNC Park. Vapormax From China .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Wholesale Vapormax . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. https://www.cheapvapormaxoutlet.com/ . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Cheap Vapormax . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Discount Nike Vapormax . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. Australian Matt Wilkinsons bid for a maiden world surfing title is over after he was knocked out in the second round of the seasons penultimate event in Portugal.World No.3 Wilkinson was never in the hunt at Peniche against Frenchman Jeremy Flores, who earned nine points early in the heat for a long barrel, following it up with another big ride awarded eight.Wilkinson struggled to a combined score of 10 - seven points behind his world No.34 opponent.That heat was very disappointing, Wilkinson said.But Ive had a great year and its been so much fun being in this position.Wilkinson was an early title leader after winning the opening two world events on the Gold Coast and Bells Beach, but fell away later in the tour.The 28-year-old has not been able to get past the third round in any of his last five World Surf League events.Theres stilll one event remaining so hopefully I can put another massive result on the board and Id love to do well at Pipe (Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii), he said.ddddddddddddIve had the best year of my career by far and Im excited to keep it going the next few years and hopefully find myself a world title in the next few years.Wilkinson has not finished inside the championship top 10, recording his best result last year when he was 18th.Championship leader John John Florence of Hawaii kept his hopes of clinching the world title in Portugal on track by beating local hope Miguel Blanco in their second-round heat, while second-ranked Gabriel Medina of Brazil edged Australian Ryan Callinan to progress to the third round. 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