Cubs sweep into playoff berth

Chicago Cubs' manager Dusty Baker, center, hugs Moises Alou, left, and an unidentified teammate after beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 in the second game of their double header in Chicago, Saturday. The Cubs won the NL Central Division championship. PHOTO: REUTERS

National League

Dusty Baker, who was hired to help the Cubs forget their losing ways, guided Chicago to its first division title in 14 years with a doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2 and 7-2 Saturday.

The Cubs -- 67-95 just a year ago -- clinched the NL Central and advanced to meet Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.

The victory touched off a raucous celebration at Wrigley Field where 40,121 fans, many wearing coats on a chilly 15.5-degree C day, began to chant "Let's Go Cubs" in the seventh inning.

"The city of Chicago has been yearning for this and it's awesome," center fielder Kenny Lofton said. "We're in the playoffs and that's a start. The fans haven't seen it in a while."

Sammy Sosa hit his 40th homer and Matt Clement pitched 7 2-3 strong innings as the Cubs earned their first division championship since Don Zimmer led to the NL East crown in 1989.

"I just said `Why not us?'" Baker said. "This is only the first step in a four-step process. We've got three steps to climb and this club is willing and ready."

The Cubs are in the postseason for the first time since 1998 when they beat Baker and the San Francisco Giants in a one-game playoff for the NL wild card. Chicago got its chance to clinch because of second-place Houston's 5-2 loss to Milwaukee earlier in the day.

Sosa the first NL player to reach 40 homers six straight times with a 135m blast in the first off Ryan Vogelsong (2-2). Clement (14-12) got the win and Joe Borowski got his 33rd save.

Mark Prior (18-6) pitched 6 2-3 impressive innings and Damian Miller homered in the opener. Josh Fogg (10-9) took the loss.

Brewers 5, Astros 2

Scott Podsednik and the last-place Milwaukee denied Houston a chance to stay in the NL Central race. Podsednik had three hits and three runs as the Brewers beat Houston for the second straight day.

Leading to start the sixth, the Brewers got five straight hits off Ron Villone (6-6) and Brad Lidge in a three-run inning that put Milwaukee in control.

Wes Helms hit a two-out home run, his 23rd. And after consecutive singles by Eddie Perez, Royce Clayton and Wes Obermueller (2-5), Podsednik doubled off the left-field wall and two more runs scored for a 5-1 lead.

American League

Roy Halladay became the only 22-game winner in the major leagues as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Indians 5-4 Saturday.

Halladay set a team record for wins, surpassing Roger Clemens and Jack Morris.

"This was pretty special to me," said the normally reserved Halladay, who pumped his fist after the last out. "Sometimes you don't put an emphasis on numbers, but when you get a chance, and things come together, it's just an unbelievable feeling."

The 26-year-old right-hander, a leading contender for the AL Cy Young Award, allowed four runs on eight hits, while striking out nine and walking one. His ninth complete game tied Mark Mulder for the most in the majors.

"I don't think I've seen him this excited," catcher Kevin Cash said. "I know the 20th win was his big for him, but that one right there, he'll remember for the rest of his life."

Cleveland's pitcher Terry Mulholland (3-4) allowed five runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits in seven innings.

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