Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA ó Joe Blanton pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning and Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley each homered off Johan Santana, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-0 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rival.
The Phillies had lost 12 of 15 and returned home after being swept by the Atlanta Braves, but took advantage of the injury-ravaged Mets to earn their first sweep at home since taking three straight from the Nationals May 29-31.
The defending World Series Champions pushed the third-place Mets four games back in the NL East, handing them their eighth loss in 11 games.
Nationals 5, Braves 3
WASHINGTON ó Scott Olsen pitched into the ninth inning, newly acquired Nyjer Morgan had three hits and the Nationals beat the Braves for their second straight victory.
Derek Lowe (7-7), who signed a four-year, $60 million free-agent contract with the Braves in the offseason, lost for the fourth time in his past five starts.
Dodgers 7, Padres 6, 13 innings
SAN DIEGO ó James Loney led off the 13th inning with a homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 7-6 win.
Loney hit his sixth homer of the season into the right-field seats off Edward Mujica (2-4) to help the Dodgers win after squandering a 6-0 lead.
Manny Ramirez didn’t start for the first time since he returned from a 50-game drug suspension.
The outfielder pinch hit in the 11th inning off Mike Adams and was robbed of a hit by right fielder Tony Gwynn’s sliding catch.
Jeff Weaver (5-2) pitched three hitless innings for the win.
Astros 7, Giants 1
SAN FRANCISCO ó Roy Oswalt pitched eight solid innings in the Astros’ victory over the Giants.
Miguel Tejada, Hunter Pence and Jason Michaels each hit solo home runs for the Astros.
Oswalt (5-4) gave up three hits, struck out six and walked one as he improved to 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA over his last four starts.
Giants’ starter Randy Johnson (8-6) left the game in the fourth with a left shoulder strain, injured during a plate appearance.
Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 3
DENVER ó Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer and Felipe Lopez broke a tie game with an RBI single in the seventh, lifting the Diamondbacks over the Rockies.
It’s the second straight game the Diamondbacks rallied late for the victory, and gives them their first series win since mid June at Kansas City.
Cardinals 10, Reds 1
CINCINNATI ó Colby Rasmus’ homer started St. Louis’ eight-run onslaught against slumping right-hander Bronson Arroyo, and the Cardinals got another solid start from Chris Carpenter.
Rasmus hit a two-run homer in the first off Arroyo (8-8), who is 1-5 in his last seven starts.
Carpenter (6-3) gave up a run and five hits in seven innings, fanning Laynce Nix on a 94 mph fastball with his 104th and final pitch.
Cubs 8, Brewers 2
CHICAGO ó Ted Lilly pitched effectively into the seventh inning and Derrek Lee hit a two-run homer, leading the Cubs to victory over the Brewers.
Jake Fox also had a two-run home run for the Cubs, who took three of four from the Brewers. The Cubs moved 11/2 games back of the Brewers in the NL Central Division for second place and trail the first-place St. Louis Cardinals by 21/2 games in the division.
Marlins 5, Pirates 0
MIAMI ó Ricky Nolasco struck out 12 in eight innings to win his fourth consecutive start, and the Marlins beat the Pirates.