The D-backs finally delivered for Daniel Hudson (15-9) when
they got to All-Star Ryan Vogelsong in the eighth. Until then, Cody Ross’
first-inning home run had held up. Hudson won his third straight start, helping
Arizona (80-60) leave the Bay Area for Colorado in a comfortable spot with 22
games to go.
The defending World Series champion Giants considered this a
must-win series to keep their faint playoff hopes alive but lost the final two.
Hudson allowed one run and three hits in seven innings.
David Hernandez went 1-2-3 in the eighth and J.J. Putz pitched a perfect ninth
for his 36th save.
In Houston, Shaun
Marcum pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, helping the Brewers complete the
three-game series sweep.
Ryan Braun homered among his three hits and drove in two
runs for Milwaukee, which increased its NL Central lead to 9 1/2 games over St.
Louis.
Jordan Schafer singled with one out the sixth for Houston’s
only hit off Marcum (12-5), who struck out eight and walked one.
Francisco Rodriguez and Takashi Saito each allowed a hit in
one inning of relief to finish the three-hitter.
In
Miami, Mike Cameron drove in the winning run with a two-out, bases-loaded walk
in the 14th inning, and the Marlins benefited from an overturned ruling after a
video review.
Hunter Pence was ruled out on fan interference in the sixth
inning after initially being awarded a double, and the ruling change may have
cost the Phillies two runs. They played the game under protest.
The lead changed hands four times, and Florida came from
behind for the second game in a row to take the series.
In San Diego, Jeremy Hermida and Will Venable drove in three runs apiece, and
the Padres snapped a nine-game losing streak.
Hermida had an RBI single in the first and a two-run single
in the third as the Padres won for the first time since a 7-5 victory at San
Francisco on Aug. 23. Venable tripled with the bases loaded in a four-run
eighth inning.
Mat Latos (7-13) struck out eight in seven innings for San
Diego, yielding two runs and five hits.
Colorado’s Dexter Fowler had three hits, including a triple,
for the second straight day.
In Atlanta, Martin
Prado hit a game-ending RBI single in the ninth inning and the Braves ended the
Dodgers’ six-game winning streak.
Atlanta avoided getting swept in a three-game series for the
first time this season.
Jose Constanza set up the win with a one-out single off
Blake Hawksworth (2-5). Constanza moved to second on a wild pitch and scored
easily when Prado’s liner landed inside the left-field line.
In St. Louis, Juan Francisco capped a career-best
four-hit day with the go-ahead hit in the 10th inning, lifting Cincinnati to
the victory.
Jon Jay homered and Daniel Descalso had an RBI triple for
the Cardinals, who fell 9 1/2 games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee heading
into a three-game series with the Brewers starting Monday night. St. Louis was
0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and 2 for 20 with men on base.
In
Washington, Willie Harris had a pinch-hit two-run single, highlighting a
four-run rally in the sixth inning that lifted New York to the victory in what
was likely Livan Hernandez’s final game with Washington.
Hernandez, who started the Nationals’ home opener in 2005,
made his final start of this season, and though he’s indicated a willingness to
return as a reliever, the team hasn’t indicated it wants him back.
The fans gave Hernandez (8-13) a warm ovation as he walked
in from the bullpen to start the game, and a longer thank you when he left
during the four-run inning.
In
Chicago, Randy Wells pitched six strong innings and Marlon Byrd drove in two
runs to help the Cubs avoid a three-game series sweep.
Wells (7-4) was impressive again after pitching his first
career shutout in Monday’s 7-0 win over the Giants. He allowed one run while
scattering seven hits.
Sean Marshall pitched a scoreless ninth for his fourth save
in eight chances as Chicago won just for the third time in 10 games.
