The Latest Breaking News from Seiya Suzuki

An awful error that was so hard to watch.

The Braves took the lead on Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki’s two-out error in the eighth inning. The Cubs dropped a game behind the Diamondbacks in the battle for the second wild-card spot and saw their lead over the Marlins for the third and final spot cut to a half-game.

The innocent romances of pre-2016 playoff years are relics, but if we can find our inner rubes — they’ve got to be in there somewhere — it might be a lot of fun.

Baseball by the Numbers: Bellinger’s 2.53 WPA leads Ian Happ’s 1.85, Nico Hoerner’s 1.61 and Mike Tauchman’s 1.26. A WPA of 1 represents adding 100% to the chance of winning one game.

“Sitting on the bench watching the game for six to nine innings, it’s easy to stay engaged when we’re playing the type of baseball we’re playing,” Crow-Armstrong said.

With the win, the Cubs moved back into the NL’s third wild-card spot.

The Cubs lost the series opener to Arizona 6-4.

The Cubs’ bullpen is adjusting to Adbert Alzolay’s absence.

Manager David Ross changed his lineup, and the team avoided a sweep.

An extended replay review saw Corbin Carroll’s eighth-inning flare to right bounce off the grass before settling into Seiya Suzuki’s sliding grasp, plating the game’s only run.

Notes: Relievers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer are among those nearing returns from the IL.