However, the Guardians still clinched the American League Central. Their magic number was one coming into Saturday's action, and the second-place Kansas City Royals' loss to the San Francisco Giants earlier in the day was enough to get the job done.
Jordan Walker hit a two-run shot for the Cardinals, who won for the fourth time in their past six games.
Jose Ramirez hit a three-run homer and Bo Naylor smacked a solo shot for the Guardians.
Check out the game summary here.
Reds 7, Pirates 1
Elly De La Cruz had three hits, four RBIs and two runs to help Cincinnati beat visiting Pittsburgh.
The Reds, who won the opener of the three-game set on Friday, have won five of their past eight games. Cincinnati starting pitcher Rhett Lowder (2-2) held the Pirates scoreless on five hits through five innings, and De La Cruz's three-run shot to right field in the fourth inning provided the run support.
Billy Cook had a home run among his two hits for the Pirates, who have lost seven of nine.
Nationals 5, Cubs 1
MacKenzie Gore came within eight outs of the eighth no-hitter in franchise history, lifting visiting Washington past Chicago.
The Cubs didn't get to Gore (10-12) until Patrick Wisdom clubbed a solo shot with one out in the seventh. That was the only hit and run the lefty allowed in his seven innings. Meanwhile, Joey Gallo broke the game open with a three-run homer in the sixth for the Nationals, who had dropped five straight. Jose Tena went 3-for-4 with a run.
Chicago is on the verge of being officially eliminated from postseason contention. Kyle Hendricks (4-12) got the start for the Cubs and yielded four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Tigers 6, Orioles 4 (10 innings)
Riley Greene singled in a run in the top of the 10th inning and Zach McKinstry added a sacrifice fly as Detroit pulled out the victory against host Baltimore.
The Tigers have won five of their past six games in their quest to rise in the American League wild-card mix. They rebounded after squandering a two-run lead in the ninth and had to hang on to extend the game. Orioles All-Star Gunnar Henderson's two-run double with the bases loaded and no outs tied the score in the ninth.
With runners on second and third after Henderson's double, Cedric Mullins grounded out, Anthony Santander popped out and Colton Cowser flied out against Beau Brieske (3-4), who was summoned from the bullpen after Jason Foley failed to record an out while facing four batters.
The Orioles had a two-game winning streak snapped as they try to catch the New York Yankees atop the AL East. Starter Cade Povich was charged with two runs on two hits in five innings, striking out seven. The Orioles, who homered five times in Friday night's 7-1 series-opening victory, didn't have an extra-base hit Saturday until Henderson came through in the ninth.
