Marlins prevent Cubs from clinching a playoff spot again with a 3-2 victory

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Stowers homered and the Miami Marlins prevented the Chicago Cubs from clinching a playoff berth for the second straight night with a 3-2 victory Wednesday.

Dansby Swanson drove in both runs for the Cubs, who needed a win or an Arizona loss at Colorado to secure a National League wild-card spot. The Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 5-3.

Chicago is tied with Philadelphia at 87-71 for the second of three NL wild cards — one game behind San Diego with four to play. None of them have wrapped up a trip to the postseason.

The Padres won 5-1 at Dodger Stadium, hours after the Phillies lost 4-1 at home to NL Central champion Milwaukee.

Joe Mack’s groundout brought home Agustín Ramírez with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Marlins retired the next nine Chicago batters to win their second straight game after dropping three in San Diego.

Stowers hit his 21st homer, a two-run shot, off Kevin Gausman in the sixth to break a scoreless tie. The Cubs evened things in the bottom of the inning when Swanson hit a broken-bat single into left field to bring home a pair of runs.

Cade Gibson (6-2), the second of four Miami relievers, struck out two in the seventh and Sandy Alcantara worked the ninth for his second save.

Ryan Rolison (9-2) took the loss.

Gausman struck out seven and allowed two runs, six hits and a walk in the first 5 2/3 innings. Miami’s Ryan Gusto allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings.

Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong needed a stolen base to become the seventh player to join the 40-40 club but went 0 for 3 with a walk and remained at 45 home runs and 39 steals.

The Cubs had not announced a starter for Thursday afternoon’s home finale. RHP Tyler Phillips (5-6, 3.45 ERA) is scheduled for the Marlins.

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