Major League Baseball
Marlins beat Phillies in NL showdown PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Josh Johnson pitched six scoreless innings, Jeremy Hermida drove in four runs and the Florida Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 Tuesday night in a matchup of the two top teams in the NL East.
The Marlins, who have by far the smallest payroll in the majors, closed within 11/2 games of first-place Philadelphia. The New York Mets are two games behind.
Johnson (2-0) allowed five hits and overcame four walks in his fifth start since returning from reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007. The Marlins improved to 5-0 in his starts this year.
Jamie Moyer (10-7) fell to 10-1 against the Marlins. The 45-year-old left-hander uncharacteristically struggled with his control. Moyer gave up two runs and six hits in five innings. He walked three and hit two batters.
Shane Victorino hit a two-out, two-run homer off Renyel Pinto to cut the deficit in half in the seventh.
Brewers 8, Reds 1
CINCINNATI – Prince Fielder made amends by apologizing, then hit a two-run homer that helped Milwaukee beat Cincinnati and quickly move beyond their ugly altercation in the dugout.
The Brewers were on their best behavior a day after Fielder shoved pitcher Manny Parra in the dugout during a series-opening loss.
Fielder apologized before the game on Tuesday, then helped Milwaukee’s uptight offense relax by hitting his sixth homer in his last nine games.
Right-hander Dave Bush (6-9) allowed only three hits in seven innings, retiring 17 consecutive batters at one point.
Cubs 11, Astros 7
CHICAGO – Alfonso Soriano hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Cubs rallied after blowing a five-run lead.
Soriano’s 20th homer highlighted a five-run burst and sent the NL Central-leading Cubs to their eighth win in 10 games.
The Cubs also welcomed back Kerry Wood. The All-Star closer pitched a scoreless eighth after missing three weeks with a blister on his right index finger.
Soriano drove in four runs. The Astros, who came back from a 6-1 deficit to take the lead, had their four-game winning streak stopped. Chris Sampson (5-4) took the loss.
then intentionally walked pinch-hitter Daryle Ward and reliever Wesley Wright struck out
Bobby Howry (4-4) got the win despite allowing two runs in 1 1-3 innings. Carlos Marmol pitched a perfect ninth.
Mets 6, Padres 5
NEW YORK – Fernando Tatis homered twice and drove in four runs, giving the Mets’ mix-and-match bullpen enough breathing room to close out San Diego without injured Billy Wagner.
Mike Pelfrey (10-7) pitched effectively into the seventh inning to help the Mets end a four-game skid, hours after they put Wagner on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left forearm.
Scott Schoeneweis became the first Mets reliever besides Wagner to earn a save this season when he retired Brian Giles on his only pitch.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, Adrian Gonzalez and Jody Gerut homered for the Padres. Gerut’s three-run drive off Aaron Heilman cut it to 6-5 in the ninth.
Mike Adams (1-1) got the loss.
Rockies 8, Nationals 2
DENVER – Brad Hawpe’s bases-loaded, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth sparked a six-run rally and the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals.
Manny Corpas (2-3) pitched one inning in relief of Jorge De La Rosa, who struck out six in seven innings, and Ian Stewart hit his fifth home run of the season for the Rockies.
Luis Ayala (1-7) pitched one-third of an inning and took the loss for the Nationals, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
Rangers 8, Yankees 6
ARLINGTON, Texas – Josh Hamilton hit his 27th homer, rookie Matt Harrison pitched well into the seventh inning and the Texas Rangers hung on for a victory over the New York Yankees.
Texas took an 8-2 lead into the eighth, but Richie Sexson’s grand-slam off C.J. Wilson made it a two-run game.
Eddie Guardado got three outs for his third save in three chances to help the Rangers win their second straight over the Yankees. Guardado polished off the save by getting Alex Rodriguez to ground into a double play.
Texas won its second straight against New York. The Rangers ended a 10-game home losing streak to the Yankees on Monday night, 9-5.
Red Sox 8, Royals 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jason Bay had four hits and two RBIs and Josh Beckett pitched effectively into the seventh inning to help the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals.
Beckett, 0-3 with a 5.31 earned run average while allowing 29 hits in 20 1-3 innings in his previous three starts, held the Royals to four hits and two runs in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
Beckett (10-8) gave up an RBI double to Mark Teahen in the first, and after Alex Gordon led off the second with a single, Beckett retired 16 of the next 17 he faced. He improved to 3-0 in five career starts against Kansas City.
Rays 8, Indians 4
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Evan Longoria, Dioner Navarro and Cliff Floyd homered to help the Rays get the win.
Longoria’s two-run drive in Tampa Bay’s four-run seventh was his 22nd of the season, setting a team record for a rookie. Longoria hit two long drives that landed in foul territory then took a pitch before connecting against Rafael Betancourt.
Longoria’s drive made it 6-3, and Floyd and Navarro added back-to-back shots later in the inning.
Blue Jays 4, Athletics 3
TORONTO – Kevin Mench singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning and the Blue Jays extended the Athletics’ season-long losing streak to eight games.
Toronto trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth against Oakland closer Huston Street. Alex Rios led off with a single and scored one out later when Rod Barajas doubled over the head of left fielder Ryan Sweeney.
Copyright Associated Press 2008