ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals bats have picked a bad time to go cold.Jon Lester pitched eight dominant innings and the Chicago Cubs beat St. Louis 7-0 on Wednesday to clinch a playoff berth.Lester gave up three hits, and the Cardinals totaled only 11 while dropping two of three in the series.Weve got to figure out ways to grind through at-bats. I think thats one of our priorities right now, just to figure out how to get those tough-fought at-bats from top to bottom, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. Thats the type of team we can be and then we can jump up and surprise some people with the long ball.All five of the Cardinals runs in the series came on homers.Brandon Moss tipped his cap to Lester.Today was one of those days were he had both (pitches) working and he wasnt missing over the middle and he was even throwing some curveballs and changeups to keep you off of everything, Moss said.Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of home runs as the Cubs improved their major league-best record to 93-52 and lowered their magic number to one for clinching their first NL Central title since 2008. They can wrap up the division crown Thursday night with a win at home over Milwaukee or a St. Louis loss in San Francisco.Chicago secured at least a wild card because the four-game series between the Cardinals and Giants makes it impossible for both to catch the Cubs in the standings.The Cardinals remained a half-game behind the New York Mets and one game back of the Giants for the two NL wild cards.St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez (14-8) gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings.Martinez started off strong, striking out the side in the first and four of the first six batters he faced. Five of his nine strikeouts came on called third strikes. He entered the game having allowed just 12 homers this season and his home run per nine innings average of 0.63 was second in the National League to the Mets Noah Syndergaard (0.52).He came out of the gates really as good as weve seen him, Matheny said. Just had a real good rhythm and thought he had a real good feel for his pitches. They just kind of grinded a couple of at-bats against him and made him pay.Lester (17-4) allowed four base runners, none of which got past first. Cubs catcher David Ross threw out two Cardinals trying to steal second and Lester faced just two batters over the minimum.Rizzos two-run homer in the ninth gave him 31 homers and 101 RBI on the season. He is the second Cubs left-handed hitter in franchise history to post multiple 30 home run and 100 RBI seasons (Billy Williams did it in 1965, 1970 and 1972).Billy Williams, his numbers speak for himself and hes done it so many years, so its a really good feeling, Rizzo said.Ross two-run homer in the fifth was just third by a right-handed batter against Martinez, who had his four winning decisions streak snapped.The loss dropped the Cardinals home record to 33-41, assuring St. Louis of its first losing record at home since 1999 when it played in Busch Stadium II.We want to do well here and I think trying to right the ship here were putting a little too much pressure on us, Moss said. But when we go on the road we play a little more loose, a little more relaxed and hopefully that continues.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (right shoulder inflammation) was activated from the disabled list and will pitch out of the bullpen. ... OF Matt Holliday (fractured right thumb) is expected to take live batting practice later this week. ... RHP Trevor Rosenthal (right shoulder inflammation) could be activated from the DL tomorrow.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Mike Montgomery (1-1, 3.67 ERA) will kick off a four-game series as Chicago hosts Milwaukee on Thursday. The Brewers counter with RHP Jimmy Nelson (14-7, 4.42 ERA)Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (11-8, 4.45) will look to build on a one run, eight inning performance in his last start as St. Louis travels to San Francisco for a four-game series Thursday. RHP Johnny Cueto (15-5, 2.90) will start for the Giants. Air Max 90 Australia . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Wholesale Air Max Australia . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. http://www.shopairmaxaustralia.com/ . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Discount Air Max Australia . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Air Max Australia Running Shoes . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. PROVO, Utah -- Taysom Hill threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns and BYU secured a bowl berth with a 37-7 victory over Southern Utah on Saturday.The Cougars (6-4) will play in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 21 in San Diego against a Mountain West Conference team.Hill rushed 16 yards for the games first score and passed 31 yards to Nick Kurtz and 21 to Colby Pearson for touchdowns. KJ Hall ran over from 2 yards out in the final minute of the first half as the Cougars took off to a 31-7 lead.Rhett Almond kiccked field goals of 28, 30 and 20 yards.ddddddddddddThis was Hills fourth 300-yard passing game but first since throwing for 308 against Connecticut in the 2014 season opener. The Cougars had a season-high 596 total yards.The Thunderbirds (5-5) got their only touchdown on Patrick Tylers 17-yard pass to Logan Parker.This is the 12th straight season that BYU will head to a bowl. 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