Associated Press
The National League roundup …
ATLANTA ó Nick Punto drove in two runs with an 11th-inning triple after St. Louis rallied in the ninth, giving the surging Cardinals a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Braves rookie Cory Gearrin (0-1) dug his own hole, plunking Ryan Theriot in the left leg and walking pinch-hitter Mark Hamilton. The right-hander was one out away from escaping, but Punto drove one into the right-field corner for the first big league hit allowed by Gearrin in 42/3 innings since being called up.
Jason Heyward homered in the first and Nate McLouth put the Braves ahead 3-2 with a tie-breaking shot in the seventh, his first homer of the season. Atlanta couldn’t hold it, capping a tough day with a tough loss and missing a chance to go above .500 for the first time since April 5.
A win would’ve helped the Braves feel a bit better after Derek Lowe was arrested the previous night on a drunken-driving charge, and pitching coach Roger McDowell was placed on leave while the team investigated allegations that he made homophobic slurs, lewd gestures and threatened a fan with a bat before a game last weekend.
Marlins 7, Reds 6
CINCINNATI ó John Buck hit a three-run home run in Florida’s five-run first inning and the Marlins held on to beat Cincinnati.
Home runs by Jay Bruce and Jeremy Hermida couldn’t help the Reds overcome Travis Wood’s rocky first inning as the Reds extended to eight games their trend of alternating wins and losses.
Nationals 3, Giants 0
WASHINGTON ó Jason Marquis pitched a five-hitter to beat Tim Lincecum, and reserve outfielder Laynce Nix made the most of a rare start by connecting for a two-run homer that carried Washington past San Francisco.
Marquis (3-0) struck out seven and walked none in his fourth major league shutout and first since 2009 with Colorado. Always a dangerous hitter, he helped his own cause with an RBI single and is batting .385.
Lincecum (2-3) had seven strikeouts in seven innings to take over the major league lead, but dropped his second straight game.
Brewers 5, Astros 0
HOUSTON ó Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun homered and Shaun Marcum allowed three hits over seven shutout innings to lead Milwaukee.
Pirates 3, Rockies 0.
DENVER ó Kevin Correia pitched effectively into the seventh inning and Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones each homered, leading the Pirates past Colorado.