Final Score: Atlanta 6, Cincinnati 4 (10 innings)
Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – Jayson Heyward delivered the game-winning two-run double in the 10th inning as Atlanta upended Cincinnati, 6-4, in the first of a three-game set. Brian McCann homered and Chipper Jones added two hits, a run scored and a run batted in for the Braves, who have won all three meetings between the teams this season. Jesse Chavez (3-2) earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning and Billy Wagner stranded two runners in the 10th to earn his 24th save of the season for Atlanta, which has won two out of three. Francisco Cordero (3-4) suffered the loss after giving up the decisive runs on one hit and a pair of walks over 1 1/3 innings for the Reds, who have lost three out of five.
Final Score: Arizona 9, New York 6
Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – Kelly Johnson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth and Miguel Montero tacked on a three-run shot later in the frame to help the Diamondbacks snap a seven-game slide with a 9-6 win over the Mets. Montero went 3-for-5 with four RBI to highlight the offensive outburst for Arizona, which had lost four games at home to San Francisco and three straight at Philadelphia coming in. Ian Kennedy (6-8) labored through six innings but still wound up with the win after giving up five runs on three hits and four walks. David Wright had his first multi-home run game at Citi Field, driving in five runs in New York’s fourth loss in six games. Raul Valdes (2-3) gave up both homers in the sixth and did not record an out to take the loss behind Mike Pelfrey, who was touched for five runs — four earned — on eight hits in 5 2/3 frames.
Final Score: Houston 5, Milwaukee 0
Houston, TX (Sports Network) – J.A. Happ pitched six scoreless innings in his Houston debut, as the Astros handled the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. Happ (2-0) and minor leaguers Jonathan Villar and Anthony Gose were acquired by Houston from the Phillies on Thursday in exchange for workhorse starter Roy Oswalt. Happ gave up just two hits, struck out six, and walked four to take the win. Jason Michaels, Chris Johnson and Jeff Keppinger homered for the Astros, who have won three in a row. Manny Parra (3-8) went 5 1/3 innings in the start, allowing four runs on four hits for the Brewers, who have dropped three in a row. He also fanned six batters and walked three to drop his third straight decision.
Final Score: St. Louis 1, Pittsburgh 0 (10 innings)
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) – Brendan Ryan’s infield single scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the St. Louis Cardinals snuck past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Javier Lopez (2-2) started on the hill for the Pirates in the home 10th. Pinch-hitter Ryan Ludwick led off with a double and moved to third on Yadier Molina’s sacrifice bunt. Ryan then hit a sharp grounder to second, but Neil Walker couldn’t handle the ball completely, allowing Ludwick to cross the plate for the win.
Final Score: Colorado 17, Chicago 2
Denver, CO (Sports Network) – Carlos Gonzalez went 4-for-6 with a home run, three runs scored and two RBI, as Colorado scored 12 times with two outs in a franchise record-breaking eighth inning to pull away from Chicago, 17-2, in the opener of a three-game series. The Rockies batted around twice in an unfathomable eighth frame that saw them set club marks for runs (12), hits (13) and consecutive hits (11), all while stranding the bases loaded. Dexter Fowler had three hits, a home run and two RBI, while Ian Stewart homered and drove in three for the Rockies, winners of two straight on the heels of a miserable eight-game skid. Jeff Francis (4-3) was efficient in a six- inning start, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five to pick up the win. Ryan Dempster (8-8) lasted only four-plus frames for the Cubs, surrendering five runs on seven hits and five walks in the club’s third straight loss.
Final Score: Florida 4, San Diego 2
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) – Gaby Sanchez and Cody Ross homered to lead the Florida Marlins past the San Diego Padres, 4-2, in the opener of a three- game series. Hanley Ramirez and Logan Morrison each drove in a run for the Marlins, who have won two in a row and four of six overall. Chris Volstad (5-8) went five-plus frames in the start, allowing two runs on seven hits. The right-hander won for the first time since June 13 against the Rays. Leo Nunez recorded his 25th save of the season. Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley had an RBI apiece for the Padres, who had won five of six coming in. Miguel Tejada went 0-for-3 with a walk in his San Diego debut. He was acquired Thursday along with cash considerations from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league right-hander Wynn Pelzer. Wade LeBlanc (5-9) allowed four runs on five hits in a 6 1/3-inning start.
Final Score: San Francisco 6, Los Angeles 5
San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) – Aubrey Huff went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI, and Tim Lincecum lasted seven innings after a slow start to pace San Francisco to a tight 6-5 triumph over the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series between the National League West rivals. Lincecum (11-4) battled through the first three frames and held on through seven, scattering seven hits, two walks and two runs while striking out nine for the Giants, who won for the seventh time in nine games despite giving up three runs in the ninth inning. Rafael Furcal carried Los Angeles’ offense by going 3-for-3 with a home run, two walks and a double. Scott Podsednik and Russell Martin each had two hits and a RBI in the club’s third straight setback. Carlos Monasterios (3-3) took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in five-plus innings.
