ST. LOUIS -- Brandon Moss decided the best way to work out of his slump was to go to the tape.A day off spent analyzing video did the trick for the veteran St. Louis infielder.Moss bounced out of a three-week skid with a tiebreaking home run and Aledmys Diaz connected in his return to the starting lineup, leading the Cardinals to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.St. Louis ensured that the runaway Cubs wont clinch the NL Central at Busch Stadium. Chicagos magic number is three, and the series wraps up Wednesday.The Cardinals remained a half-game behind the New York Mets for the second wild-card spot.Moss entered the game mired in a 1-for-41 skid. When given Monday off by manager Mike Matheny, Moss chose to pour over video of his better at-bats rather than swing in the batting cages.I went in the cage and worked and worked and nothing seemed to come from it, Moss said. Yesterday was much more video than anything.It helped.Matheny was glad to see that the day off did the trick.He responded well, Matheny said. It was a bad rut, but he worked himself through.Moss slammed a two-run homer in the sixth off Jason Hammel (14-9).The Cubs Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run against Jaime Garcia.Alex Reyes (2-1) won with 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Kevin Siegrist got his second save.Reyes entered the game with the bases loaded and two out in the second. He immediately fanned Kris Bryant with a 98 mile-per-hour fastball to get out of the jam.He came in in a tough spot and saved the day, Matheny said.Moss singled in the second and scored on Diazs 15th homer of the season. Diaz started for the first time since July 31, when the All-Star shortstop broke his thumb.Garcia lasted just 1 2/3 innings, the shortest outing in his 146-start career. He gave up two runs and three hits, including Fowlers seventh leadoff homer of the season.I let my team down, Garcia said. Ive been through tough times before. All I can say is Im going to continue to do whats in my control to continue to fight.Garcia is 0-3 with a 9.94 ERA in his last four home starts.The Cardinals, who scored all four runs with two outs, are 8-7 against the Cubs, who are 40 games over .500.St. Louis is 5-2 in Wrigley Field.Hammel allowed four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked two.It seems every time I give up a run, it leaves the yard, Hammel said. Pretty frustrating. But, I felt like I pitched pretty well.The Cubs have won 33 of 45 games since July 27.Fowler realizes that nailing down the division crown is just a formality.Its going to happen, its a matter of when, Fowler said. So we have to keep winning games.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: INF Matt Carpenter was in the starting lineup after leaving Mondays game with back tightness. ... RHP Trevor Rosenthal threw batting practice. He has missed 46 games with shoulder inflammation. ... RHP Michael Wacha is expected to be activated off the disabled list tomorrow and could be headed to the bullpen. He has been out since Aug. 9 with shoulder inflammation.UP NEXTCubs LHP Jon Lester (16-4, 2.51) takes on RHP Carlos Martinez (14-7, 3.05) in the final game of the three-game set. Lester has allowed fewer than two runs in each of his last five starts. He is 6-0 with a 1.17 ERA in his previous eight starts. Martinez is 6-3 in 11 day starts this season. He has induced an NL-leading 32 double plays. Buffalo Sabres Gear .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Wholesale Sabres Jerseys . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. https://www.cheapsabres.com/ . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Stitched Sabres Jerseys . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Cheap Sabres Jerseys . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. World No.1 Jason Day surged into the lead before plummeting back down the leaderboard but he remains in the mix after the second round in his title defence at The Barclays.In the first of four US PGA Tour Playoff events Day shot a one-under-70 in round two at Bethpage Black, now tied fifth and four shots back of leader Patrick Reed.Reed put together a tidy three-under 68 to move to eight under, two clear at the top.It could have been infinitely better for Day after he surged early with five birdies in his opening seven holes, including four in a row, to join the lead.But as quick as he made his move up, he fell back down.A bogey on eight was followed by double-bogey on nine and when he added another dropped shot on 10 all his good work was undone.I had it going great and I was thinking, whats the course record and obviously it can turn pretty quick, especially if youre out of position here, Day said.The one on eight, definitely a poor shot. The tee shot on nine was poor. And then you miss anywhere in the rough on 10 theres no way of holding that green, and then youre trying to save yourself.It was a little difficult out there but I felt like I ground it out pretty good. I know Patrick is up there,, and Im currently four back, Ive just got to try to get it under par tomorrow and slowly chip away at it.ddddddddddddArgentinas Emiliano Grillo (69) and American Rickie Fowler (69) share second at six under.Already leading the season long FedExCup race, Day is looking to become the first Australian in the 10-year history of the playoffs to win it all at next months Tour Championship, including the $US10 million ($A13.13 million) bonus.With conditions becoming more difficult by the hour, Day was licking his lips at the prospect of making a weekend charge.The harder the better for the Queenslander. Im really looking forward to the weekend. I feel like Im really close, he said.The driving hasnt been spot on but I know the reps that Ive done prior to this hopefully will catch up to my game and Ill start driving it a little bit better.The touch feels pretty good.I feel like Im rolling the ball pretty well, Ive just got to give myself the opportunities.I dont really see it going too much lower than what it is. I still think single digits (under par) is a pretty good score. ' ' '
