CHICAGO -- As the Cincinnati Reds wind down another losing season, manager Bryan Price is hoping todays pain is tomorrows gain.The thing is about September in our situation is, were looking at some of the younger players we brought up and sometimes there are painful lessons, Price said. Its hard to go through, but the only way these guys are going to learn how to pitch up here is to pitch.The latest tough lesson came Tuesday night.Jon Lester overcame an injury scare to throw seven strong innings, Anthony Rizzo drove in three runs and the Chicago Cubs moved closer to securing the NLs best record with a 6-1 victory over Cincinnati.Lester (18-4) extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings before Jose Perazas RBI triple in the fifth. He allowed six hits, struck out five, walked none and added an RBI double.Lester stayed in after Joey Vottos comebacker in the sixth left him with a welt on the wrist of his glove hand.Its fine, Lester said. Its my right hand. I dont need it. All its there for is to hold the glove.Rizzo had a two-run single in a four-run fourth and a run-scoring single in the sixth to give him 104 RBI. The Cubs 96th win reduced their magic number to three over Washington for clinching home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.The Cubs, who wrapped up the NL Central last week, are trying to find the right balance of staying sharp while getting rest and avoiding injury before the postseason. Thats why the crowd gasped and the trainer and manager Joe Maddon quickly ran out of the dugout after Lester was struck by Vottos hard-hit ball.After David Ross singled with two outs in the second, Lester lined a fastball off Josh Smith (3-2) into right-center. The 39-year-old Ross, who plans to retire at the end of the season, lumbered around from first and belly-flopped into home without a throw to put the Cubs ahead to stay.Thats more of a collapse than a slide, Ross said. I figured if I went headfirst it would be considered a slide.Smith, making a spot start in a bullpen game for the Reds, left after allowing three hits over three innings.He did fine, Price said. Really, the only mistake was the first-pitch fastball to Lester. We know theres a pitcher hitting and the Cubs pitchers will be aggressive on a first-pitch fastball.Said Smith: To get the chance to go against him and go against that team is a huge opportunity for me. I just went out there and tried to make the best of it.The Cubs scored four two-out runs in the fourth off Wandy Peralta, who walked Lester before Dexter Fowlers RBI single. Kris Bryant followed with a bloop RBI double.We were hoping Wandy would give us a bit more than he did, Price said.With Washington losing 1-0 at Miami, the Cubs opened an eight-game lead over the Nationals with 11 left.CY YOUNG WORTHY?Lester lowered his ERA to 2.36 and improved his chances of winning the NL Cy Young Award. He twice finished fourth (2010 and 2014) for the AL prize.Its a huge, huge honor to even be in consideration, he said.TRAINERS ROOMReds RHP Homer Bailey (biceps) felt well enough that his bullpen session was moved up a day. Price was pleased and said its possible Bailey will get a start or two before the season ends. There hasnt been any issue regarding his surgically repaired elbow, Price said.UP NEXTCubs RHP John Lackey (9-8, 3.42 ERA), contending with Jason Hammel for the final postseason rotation spot, starts the series finale Wednesday night against RHP Robert Stephenson (2-1, 4.97). Air Max 90 Leather White . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Air Max 90 Outlet .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-essential-white-white-cheap.html . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Air Max 90 Black Buy . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Wholesale Air Max 90 Mens .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park.Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are in a good moment after the 4-0 win over Everton, but admits it was dampened by Divock Origis injury. The in-form Belgian striker, who scored Liverpools opener in their Merseyside derby win on Wednesday night, was forced off in the second half after a challenge by Ramiro Funes Mori saw the Argentine defender shown a straight red card. Talking points Analysis of a one-sided Merseyside derby Mamadou Sakho had doubled Liverpools lead in first-half stoppage time, before substitute Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho added two more for the home side after Origi was taken off on a stretcher. We are in a good moment, Klopp told Sky Sports. Thats how it is. We played football, we created chances, we could have scored much more. The goalkeeper had a finger between us and another goal and that of course was good. Jamie Carragher says Everton fans wont fall for Ramiro Funes Moris badge kiss after he was sent off for a poor challenge on Divock Origi But to be honest, I could sit here and say it was really difficult but second half it wasnt, it is like it is. But, it was really difficult for Everton. Injuries, red card, good opponent. Its not too easy then.We have only really good players. There is no player in the squad where I think why is he here? This is a really, really good team but the problem is there are a few other teams in the Premier League that are not too bad too and so you can losee each game.dddddddddddd Daniel Sturridge (right) looks at Divock Origi as the Belgian striker is stretchered off We did well and usually after 4-0 I dont know how to keep my smile out of my face but today it is pretty easy. I would like to say yes but [the injury] to Divock Origi cost me a little bit of joy. Carra on Funes Mori Defenders actions embarrassing, says Carragher Of course, the first half was a derby. Our sides passing was okay but we could have played better. Then we scored the two goals, wonderful goals, and second half the game changed completely with the red card and the injury to Divock, and they had no chance anymore.We had a lot of opportunities to score goals, their goalkeeper did a good job and its 4-0. Usually its really great, Id like to say Im 100 per cent happy but I cannot ignore the situation [with Origi].Klopp confirmed after the game that Origi had twisted an ankle ligament in the challenge but said it was too soon to tell how long he would be out for.I cant say too much, I didnt see the pictures until now but everyone I met said Oh, it was disgusting or awful, or however you want to say it. But its not broken, its a twisted ankle ligament, we have to wait now. I saw him on crutches here walking around but he had a little smile on his face so we have to see. Origi heads Liverpool in front against Everton Such a superlative performance in his first Merseyside derby was still not enough for Klopp to completely revel in victory.Beating Everton is a special thing in our situation in the table where we want to take what we can get, said Klopp. 4-0 is good, clean sheet is good, we scored nice goals, created wonderful opportunities. Everything is good, but for me its too close after the game and Im not really happy. Sorry. Also See: Liverpool thump sorry Everton Derby talking points Moyes: Everton were terrible Martinez: Horrible showing ' ' '