PITTSBURGH -- The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates played to the first tie game in the major leagues since 2005 when rain forced the teams to stop in the sixth inning Thursday night with the score 1-all.The Cubs and Pirates arent scheduled to play again this season, and the game wont be made up because it doesnt affect postseason positioning. So instead of becoming a suspended game, the stats count and it was declared a tie -- the first since Houston and Cincinnati went seven innings on June 30, 2005, before rain halted them.Willson Contreras had two hits and scored for the NL Central champion Cubs, who have already clinched the best record in the majors. Josh Bell hit a sacrifice fly for the Pirates.The game was called in the top of the sixth after a delay of 1 hour, 23 minutes.Tim Federowicz hit a sacrifice fly in the Cubs second. Pittsburgh tied it in the third.Cubs rookie Rob Zastryzny gave up one unearned run in 3 2/3 innings in his first major league start after beginning his career with seven relief appearances.Manager Joe Maddon opted to use all relievers as he prepares his team for the postseason.After losing his previous two starts, Ivan Nova allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and no walks.It was the final start of the season for Nova, who went 5-2 in 11 starts after being acquired Aug. 1 from the New York Yankees in a trade. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.Pittsburgh is 78-80 and needs to sweep its season-ending three-game series at St. Louis that starts Friday night in order to extend its streak of winning seasons to four. The Pirates had 20 straight losing seasons from 1993-2012, the record for major North American team professional sports.FOOTBALL HEROMaddon wore a No. 12 Lafayette College football jersey during his pregame meeting with reporters. It was the same number he wore when he was a quarterback for Leopards.The Cubs traveling party planned to wear football jerseys for their flight to Cincinnati following the game.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: RHP Jason Hammel (elbow tightness) has been scratched from his scheduled start Friday night at Cincinnati but may be able to pitch in a simulated game Tuesday and be ready for the NL playoffs next week. . LF Chris Coghlan (sprained left ankle) did not play after being injured Wednesday night when he crashed into the fence chasing a fly ball but could return Friday. . OF Jorge Soler (strained right side) will not play at Cincinnati but could participate in the simulated game.Pirates: RF Gregory Polanco (strained neck) missed his second game in a row.UP NEXTCubs: Undecided on who will start Friday against Reds RHP Josh Smith (5-2. 4.77 ERA).Pirates: Rookie RHP Tyler Glasnow (0-1, 4.91) faces Cardinals RHP Carlos Martinez (15-9, 3.15) and will be looking for his first major league win in his fourth career start. Custom Bengals T-shirts . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Jonah Williams Jersey Large . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. http://www.custombengalsjersey.com/ . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Bengals Jerseys China . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Authentic Custom Bengals Jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights.The Washington Redskins take on the Cincinnati Bengals live from Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Sky Sports assess the key players that could make the difference in London. Kirk CousinsThe franchise-tagged quarterback struggled in the early part of the season, as players and fans questioned his ability to lead the team. However, a four-game winning streak went a long way to restoring confidence in Cousins. Despite the week seven loss to the Detroit Lions, it was another encouraging performance and if Cousins can stay mistake free, he gives Washington a chance to get to their bye week at 5-3. Cousins, who has called this game a business trip, has a specialised sleep rota and is wearing glasses at night to help minimise any jet lag effects. If his on-field execution is as calculated as his preparation, the Redskins should be confident of a big performance from the QB.Jamison CrowderIt has been a breakout season for the second-year wide receiver, who already has four touchdowns this season, surpassing the three he scored last season. Crowder has become Cousins favourite receiver, but he also poses a threat as a punt returner, leading the league with 207 yards. Jamison Crowder punt return The Redskins are currently ranked third for passing yards this season and Crowder has been a key contributor. Expect him to see a lot of the ball on Sunday.Jordan ReedThe Redskins are a different proposition with their tight end at full fitness. Reed had been cleared following a concussion suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles, but regressed and missed the loss against the Lions. Despite his insistence that he is 100%, it is still unclear whether Reed will travel to London.If he does make the plaane, Reed offers Washington a legitimate red zone threat that they have been missing.ddddddddddddHe scored 11 touchdowns last year, and has the potential to be the second best tight end in the league, if he can stay healthy. Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins NFL Wembley: Ways to Watch Week eight marks the end of the International Series and Sky Sports has every angle covered. DeSean JacksonJackson has had an underwhelming first half of the season by his own standards. After an impressive pre-season, it was widely expected that Washingtons offensive hopes would rest on the shoulders of the three-time Pro Bowler. However, Jackson has been under 40 yards on four different occasions this season, and hasnt had 100 yards receiving since week one against the Steelers. DeSean Jackson can be a dangerous weapon if Kirk Cousins and the Redskins utilise his pace Having said that, Jackson is a perennial threat as one of the fastest wide outs in the league. He has been limited by the system, used mainly in short routes, but if Cousins can find him in open space, there are few corners who can hang with him.DefenceAnother player battling to make the plane is cornerback Josh Norman, who suffered a concussion against Detroit. If Washington have to face A.J Green and the Bengals without their number one corner, it may be a tough afternoon for Redskins fans. Josh Norman is questionable after suffering a concussion last week You can watch the Bengals take on the Redskins on Sunday October 30, live on Sky Sports 3 from 1pm. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! Also See: NFL week seven highlights Who is Jay Ajayi WATCH: Sunday Blitz NFL week seven round-up ' ' '