As the Cubs figure out the innings puzzle for the last five weeks of the regular season, right-hander Javier Assad is expected to play an important role. But the team optioned him Saturday to Triple-A Iowa after his best start of the season and recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks.

Kyle Tucker homers twice and Reese McGuire hits a grand slam as Angels starter Victor Mederos runs into trouble early in a 12-1 loss to the Cubs.

The star outfielder -- who was in the midst of the NL MVP race at the beginning of the year -- has seen his performance crater during the latter stages of the summer, prompting some in the Wrigley Field faithful to shockingly boo him.