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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.Wholesale College Jerseys . PAUL, Minn. College Football Jerseys . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. https://www.cheapncaajerseysjustwholesale.com/ . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. NCAA Jerseys For Sale . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. NCAA Jerseys . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal.IRVINE, Calif. -- Case Keenum was pretty sure he hadnt been on a bicycle since he was about 12 years old.The quarterback struggled to get his bike over the low curb as he rolled up to the Los Angeles Rams training camp at UC Irvine on Thursday.Even when theyve got both feet on the ground, this whole year is a remarkable new challenge for the Rams. But relocation hasnt dampened their enthusiasm for the possibilities of a new season.I think itll be exciting, Keenum said after riding his new mode of transportation up to the players dorm complex. First time back in LA. First time back in the Coliseum, and it goes on and on from there. Im just excited to get on the field.The Rams veterans officially began arriving in Orange County on Thursday, and their first public practice is scheduled for Saturday.With HBO cameras filming their every move for the Hard Knocks documentary series, theyve begun roughly five weeks of camp in Irvine while their training complex is finished in Thousand Oaks.A lot of firsts here, yeah, Keenum said. The first time cameras have followed me into my dorm when Im checking in at training camp. The first time theres a camera in our meeting room, a lot of that stuff. ... But its still football. This comes with it, and were going to enjoy it.The Rams have plenty of work to do when they begin workouts. While the newness of their surroundings will probably take months to wear off, the players and coaches are eager to show progress this fall after the franchises fourth straight losing season under coach Jeff Fisher.At least their moving arrangements are largely finished, with nearly everybody settled into homes near their permanent base. Training camp will be long, but the veteran Rams only see opportunities for bbonding.ddddddddddddIts been a hassle, but its a great feeling just to have something new to look forward to, left tackle Greg Robinson said.Im pretty sure that nobody else is going through what were going through, but well just stick together as a team, and hopefully we have one of the best camps weve ever had. The way we transition is going to make the team stronger.Keenum has already got to work with No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff and the other key components of the Rams passing game. They spent time working together between offseason workouts and training camp, trying to build chemistry before the preseason.We thought wed try to work a little bit and not just sit around on the couch and eat Cheez-Its all summer, Keenum said.No, we had a really good summer. I think we made a jump. Guys stuck around, worked hard. I think I saw just about every receiver and tight end we had out at throwing sessions. I think we made a step forward, and Im looking to hit the ground running coming up.The Rams will begin several position battles this weekend, particularly on defense. The departures of secondary mainstays Janoris Jenkins and Rodney McLeod have opened up two starting jobs.Cody Davis is eager to compete for McLeods role at free safety, and moves into camp with a clear head after the upheaval of the past six months.Its definitely a little bit of a distraction, Davis said of relocation. Youve got just to focus that much harder. Weve got a lot of things that we need to do, but it hasnt really affected my training at all.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '