Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Yu Darvish pitched seven dazzling innings in his seventh consecutive win, and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 in the opener of a big five-game series. Led by Darvish and Willson Contreras, Chicago won for the fourth time in five games and strengthened its grip on the top spot in the NL Central. St. Louis dropped into a virtual tie with Milwaukee for second, 4 1/2 games back of the Cubs. Contreras had three hits and four RBIs, including a leadoff drive in the sixth for his fifth homer. Darvish allowed one run and one hit, struck out 11 and walked none.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a two-run double, Eloy Jimenez had three hits and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3. Abreu matched Baltimore’s Anthony Santander for the longest hitting streak in the majors this season. Codi Heuer relieved starter Dane Dunning in the fifth and go the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Alex Colome earned his eighth save in nine tries. The White Sox took a half-game lead on the Indians and Twins in the AL Central. The Indians lost to the Brewers and the Twins swept a doubleheader from the Tigers.

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Matt Wieters has been activated from the 10-day injured list after being sidelined by a broken left big toe. Catcher Andrew Knizner was optioned to the team’s alternate training site to make room for Wieters, who is 0 for 12 in six games in his second season with St. Louis.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Terence “Bud” Crawford is looking for a fight. The undefeated WBO welterweight champion has never fought less than twice in a calendar year as a professional. He faces the possibility of being idle all of 2020. The 32-year-old said he’s using the time off to rest his body and spend time with his family. He also continues to train. Crawford hasn’t had a fight since he stopped Egidijus Kavaliauskas in the ninth round at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 14. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is trying to line up a fight against Kell Brook before the year is over.