The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5 on Thursday, extending their winning streak to 12 games.

It's the longest streak for the Cardinals since 1982.

The Cardinals maintained a 4 1/2-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the second National League Wild Card, with the Cincinnati Reds another game back.

St. Louis won a franchise-record 14 straight games in 1935.

The Chicago White Sox clinched the American League Central title on Thursday with a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Chicago made the postseason as a Wild Card team in 2020, but lost in the first round.

It's the sixth division championship for the White Sox and first since 2008. They are the first MLB team to clinch a division this season and are making their first back-to-back postseason appearances in franchise history.

The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a two-year contract extension with David Bell.

Bell, 49, agreed in October 2018 to a three-year contract that included a team option for 2022. The Reds are 78-74 this season and 184-190 under Bell overall.

"I think we've talked about this all year," general manager Nick Krall said. "He's done a great job with the team we have right now, and it was natural to have him leading us forward. We got to the playoffs last year, and we've had a great run this year, and we still have a chance. He knows how to run a clubhouse, and he knows how to run a dugout."

Gus Bell, the manager's grandfather, and Buddy Bell, the manager's father, both played for the Reds.

"It's an incredible honor to be in this organization and work for this organization and to be in this position and work with this group of coaches and Nick and his staff and loving every opportunity to be with these players," Bell said. "I'm just thankful to be able to just continue all the work we've done together. There's been a lot of progress in this organization, and I'm fortunate to be part of that team.

"The only focus I have right now is finishing this season strong and accomplishing what we set out to do at the beginning of the year. It would be nice to be able to continue that and striving for that success and much success for years to come."

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 on Saturday night to clinch a playoff berth.

It will be Milwaukee's fourth-straight trip to the postseason, a franchise record.

The Brewers are assured of at least a National League Wild Card berth, but will almost certainly win the NL Central.