Marlins down Mets, Cubs edge Giants in MLB

The Miami Marlins snapped a five-game losing streak as they defeated the New York Mets 6-4 in Thursday's MLB action.

Christian Yelich shined for the Marlins in the triumph as they avoided a four-game sweep against the Mets.

Yelich went three-for-four with a three-run homer and two singles en route to four RBIs and two stolen bases. He also made a diving catch in center field with the bases loaded and two outs in the second.

With the loss, the Mets fell two games behind the St Louis Cardinals for the second wildcard spot in the National League (NL), with the Marlins another game back.

A five-run fifth inning helped the Atlanta Braves to a 9-6 win over the San Diego Padres, while the Chicago Cubs edged the San Francisco Giants 5-4.

The Minnesota Twins were too good for the Chicago White Sox 8-5.

FREEMAN STAYS HOT

The Braves' Freddie Freeman is quietly having one of his best seasons to date. Freeman hit his 28th homer and walked twice against the Padres.

PENCE GOES DEEP

Giants outfielder Hunter Pence smashed a deep two-run homer to left-center field in the first to open the scoring against the Cubs.

With a 9-6 win over the Padres for a three-game sweep, the Braves have now scored at least seven runs in five consecutive home games for the first time since August 7-10, 1953.

ASTROS TACKLE RANGERS

One game behind the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles for the second wildcard, the Houston Astros open a tough three-game series with in-state rival the Texas Rangers. With a comfortable 8.5-game lead in the American League (AL) West, Texas sendsA.J. Griffin (6-3, 4.39 ERA) to the mound against Doug Fister (12-9, 3.60 ERA).