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CINCINNATI -- It looks as if Ben Zobrist might be rounding into postseason form, just in time for the Chicago Cubs.Zobrist homered twice and drove in three runs, helping Chicago beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 on Friday night.Im feeling a lot better than I felt in June, July and August, said Zobrist, who helped Kansas City win the World Series last year. Hopefully, that translates into October.The Cubs have the majors best record and clinched the NL Central title with plenty of time to spare, giving Joe Maddon the luxury of resting his regulars. The 35-year-old Zobrist didnt play on Monday or Thursday, and he is 11 for 22 with two homers and eight RBI in his last seven games.Hes rested, Maddon said. With guys like that, thats why you want time off, and (Friday) is what it can look like.Jake Buchanan (1-0) pitched five shutout innings as Chicago improved to 14-3 against Cincinnati this season with two games to play. The right-hander allowed two hits in his first start since 2014 with Houston.Outstanding, wasnt he? Maddon said. He controlled his emotions and threw strikes. He was very efficient. He threw strikes. We caught the ball -- a typical formula for us.It was Buchanans first appearance since he pitched one inning on Sept. 5. He didnt know what to expect when he took the mound.Once I got past the first batter, it felt really good to be back in a ballgame, Buchanan said. I was just hoping to throw strikes and compete.Anthony Rizzo also drove in two runs for Chicago, which was coming off a rare tie in Pittsburgh due to rain.Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the ninth for last-place Cincinnati, which announced before the game that manager Bryan Price would return next season. Josh Smith (3-3) was charged with two runs and three hits in five-plus innings.Price and the Reds agreed to a one-year contract with a team option. The entire coaching staff also has been offered contracts for 2017.There is a mutual desire to stay connected, Price said. For me, its an unbelievable opportunity. It is a storied franchise. I have really enjoyed my coaches and my team.The Cubs, headed for the playoffs for the second straight year, announced contract extensions for general manager Jed Hoyer and player development director Jason McLeod. Their new deals run through the 2021 season, mirroring president of baseball operations Theo Epsteins contract announced on Wednesday.Smith retired his first 12 batters before Zobrist led off the fifth with a drive to right for his first homer since Sept. 12. The All-Star also connected for a two-run shot in Chicagos four-run eighth, No. 17 on the year.It was good, Smith said. I challenged hitters early and got a lot of early contact to pitch pretty deep in the game. The ball to Zobrist, I missed my spot.Chicagos first three batters reached in the sixth, chasing Smith, and Addison Russells RBI double made it 3-1.HISTORIC HOMERSZobrists homers were Chicagos 38th and 39th against the Reds this season, the most by one team against Cincinnati pitching in one season. The 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers and 1957 Milwaukee Braves previously shared the record with 38.FRIENDLY CONFINESKris Bryants eighth-inning single gave him a least one hit in each of Chicagos eight games at Great American Ball Park so far this season.EARLY WARNINGVotto, who left Thursdays game at St. Louis in the eighth inning with a cut on his chin that required seven stitches, texted Price at 3 a.m. Friday saying that he would be ready to play.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: OF Jorge Soler (discomfort on his right side) will be re-evaluated on Saturday, Maddon said.Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips, sidelined by soreness in his left wrist and hand, was being examined Friday by members of the Reds medical staff, Price said.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Jon Lester (19-4) seeks his first career 20-win season in his last start. He is 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA in four starts against Cincinnati this season.Reds: RHP Tim Adleman (3-4), who set a career high with seven innings in his last start on Monday, will try to close out his season with back-to-back wins. Dan Hampton Womens Jersey . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Riley Ridley Youth Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.bearsrookiestore.com/Bears-William-Perry-Jersey/ . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Dan Hampton Jersey .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Tom Waddle Womens Jersey . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. NEW ORLEANS --?Willie Snead is inactive Monday night for the New Orleans Saints as he recovers from a toe injury.Left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) and cornerback Delvin Breaux (fibula) have already been ruled out, and starting cornerback P.J. Williams was placed on injured reserve with a concussion this week.Safety Kenny Vaccaro (ankle), defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (shoulder/foot), linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (quad) and tight end Josh Hill (ankle) are all inactive too.?Defensive end Cameron Jordan (knee) is also listed as questionable on the injury report, but he should play after practicing on a limited basis all week.Snead labeled himself as a game-time decision after practicing on a limited basis Saturday. But the Saints apparently wanted to give him at least one more week of rest and recovery after he said he stretched ligaments in his toe last week against the New York Giants.I dont feel 100 percent, but throughout the week my foots been getting better and weve been treating it really well, Snead said Saturday. I just want to be healthy for the year, to be honest. I dont want it to linger, I want it to be gone.Its Monday Night Football, the atmospheres gonna be great. Its gonna be frustrating if I cant go. If I can go, Ill make the most of it. ... If I cant, Ill be on the sideline cheering my butt off.With Snead out, it provides a great opportunity for rookie receiver Michael Thomas, who had an outstanding training camp and preseason foor the Saints after being drafted in the second round out of Ohio State.ddddddddddddThomas (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) has 10 catches for 114 yards on 11 targets this season.When your numbers called, you have to respond, Thomas said of the possibility that Snead might not play. I still [have] a lot of room for improvement. Im heading in the right direction, but Im not nearly close to how good I can be, and I just have to keep developing.Armstead could either be replaced by left guard Andrus Peat or veteran backups Senio Kelemete or Tony Hills. Peat has struggled through some ups and downs since being drafted in the first round in 2015, but left tackle is his most natural position.I played there my whole life, high school and college, Peat said Saturday, although he stressed, Im just ready to play wherever.The Saints will be at a huge disadvantage in the secondary since they are now without their top four cornerbacks from the start of training camp -- and theyre facing Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, among others.But they have gotten used to the next-man-up mentality at that position. Last week, recently signed veteran Sterling Moore and undrafted rookies DeVante Harris and Ken Crawley did a terrific job of holding tight against Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants, holding them to zero offensive touchdowns in a 16-13 loss. ' ' '