Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen went 0-for-4 at the plate for the second consecutive day Thursday, lowering his batting average for the season to .332.
His performance opened the NL batting title door for Giants catcher Buster Posey, and Posey took advantage, going 2-for-4 in the team's 7-3 win over the Diamondbacks to raise his average to .333 and take claim the highest batting average in the league. (Melky Cabrera's .346 average
Posey and McCutchen each have six games remaining, but it's possible they won't play in all of them; regular season games are no longer meaningful for either team. McCutchen injured his knee while attempting a diving catch in Thursday's game and left early. Posey, too, could see rest as manager Bruce Bochy gets his starters prepared for playoffs.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
McCutchen and Posey are vying for National League MVP honors along with reigning champion Ryan Braun.