The Braves beat the Cubs 9-5 Friday afternoon in Chicago, clinching a tie for the NL East title, and reducing their magic number to win the division to 1 game.
The Braves will now wait out tonight's game between the Nationals and the Marlins at 7:05 p.m. A loss by Washington would assure Atlanta of sole possession of the East title.
The Braves got a boost Friday from the return of outfielder Jason Heyward.
Thirty days after having his jaw broken by a fastball, the Braves activated Heyward and inserted him in the lineup in center field and the leadoff spot for Friday afternoon’s series opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
“I’m just really excited and happy to back on the field again,” he said Friday morning. “I know I’ll be better than I will be today in five days, but you have to start the process somewhere, and I’m happy to start it this soon.”
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