ST. LOUIS – Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Louis Cardinals sprayed champagne, showing a wide smile he could not contain.

“It’s a good feeling,” Lynn said after the Cardinals clinched their first NL Central title in four seasons with a 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. “It’s a good time to have that feeling.”

Lynn had six strikeouts in a row early, and David Freese and Matt Holliday hit early home runs.

St. Louis (95-65) has won six of seven and is tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NL. They are assured of home-field advantage when the NL Division Series starts Thursday.

“I think relentless is probably the term that might sum it up,” said second-year manager Mike Matheny, soaked like everybody else on the team. “It’s extremely special.”

The Cardinals have made it to the postseason 11 times in the last 18 seasons under the ownership group led by chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. A large group of rookies was mixed in with a veteran core, and they overcame injuries to Chris Carpenter, Jason Motte, Jaime Garcia and Rafael Furcal.

“I’ll sacrifice any of my clothes, anything for this,” DeWitt said. “It’s extremely satisfying. Think of the players we had to bring up and some of the great years we had.”

Brewers 4, Mets 2

In New York, Norichika Aoki hit a leadoff homer, Khris Davis connected three batters later and Yovani Gallardo pitched the Brewers to a victory over the Mets.

Aoki sent the fourth pitch from Carlos Torres (4-6) to right field for his second career leadoff homer.

Before the game, Aoki found out from Japanese reporters that Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said the team will pick up the outfielder’s $1.5 million option for next season.

“I didn’t know about it until I heard today, and I’m excited to be part of the Brewers again,” Aoki said through a translator. “I’m very thankful.”

Pirates 4, Reds 1

In Cincinnati, Marlon Byrd had three hits and Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer high off the batter’s eye.

Dodgers 11, Rockies 0

In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw scattered four hits over six innings.

Braves 1, Phillies 0

In Atlanta, Chris Johnson led off the eighth inning with a homer to spoil an otherwise dominant start by Cliff Lee.

Giants 7, Padres 3

In San Francisco, Hunter Pence hit his career-best 26th home run to back a shaky outing by Ryan Vogelsong.

Nationals 8, Diamondbacks 4

In Phoenix, Stephen Strasburg ended his season with a strong performance, going seven innings to notch the victory.

INTERLEAGUE

Marlins 3, Tigers 2

In Miami, Jhonny Peralta had a hit and an RBI double in his first game since completing a 50-game suspension, but the Tigers lost to the Marlins.