The Miami Marlins stopped all the early celebrating in Chi-Town, if only for one day, with an 8-2 win on Tuesday.

The Fish scored six runs in the top of the 12th inning to drop the Chicago Cubs, 8-2, in game one of a three-game series at Wrigley Field between the two squads. With the Cubbies just one win away from clinching a postseason spot, they were ready to jump for joy. But Miami decided to rain on the victory parade.

The Cubs certainly had enough chances to take charge in the game but went 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position. As the game reached its pivotal stages, they left runners on base in each of the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th innings.

Chicago (87-70) now enters the day locked in a three-way tie with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres in the National League Wild Card picture. If the season ended today, however, Chicago would occupy the top seed, having won the season series against both Philadelphia and San Diego. 

For the Marlins (77-80), the season will end soon. And while they haven't posted many wins in September, they are courageously battling all the way to baseball's finish line. A strong conclusion to the year would end things on a positive note, giving this young and talented roster something to build from heading into the offseason. With that as a backdrop, the minor league hopefuls on their way to The Show are seeing a great lesson in persistence. 

The two teams will get right back to action in another night game as they continue their series. Marlins righthander Ryan Gusto will take the ball; he posted a 1-5 mark with a 4.14 ERA. Fellow righty Kevin Gausman (9-12, 4.55) will make the start for Chicago. If the Windy City hurler can gain the decision, it will mark the sixth time in his career.

Following Thursday's final road game, the Marlins will depart the Midwest for Miami for their last regular season series of the year with three contests against their National League East rivals, the Atlanta Braves.

Still fighting it out for the NL batting title with just five games remaining, infielder Otto Lopez is hitting .304, ten points behind Luiz Arraez, who leads with a .314 average. Arraez is a former three-time hitting king, including winning the NL title as a member of the Marlins.