National League roundup

[May 11, 2009]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Paul Janish swung at the game's 401st pitch and hit it high and foul, leaving plenty of room for St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols to drift over, make the catch and finally end the game. And, what a game! Even the losers had to smile.

"That was a blast," said Jay Bruce, who hit one of Cincinnati's five home runs Sunday during the Cardinals' 8-7 victory in 10 innings. "I really enjoyed playing this series. It was a blast."

Two of the NL's best bullpens had trying times on Sunday, turning the game into a 4-hour, 23-minute odyssey that had a plot twist with nearly every pitch in the last two innings. The Cardinals salvaged the final game of the series after blowing a lead that seemed safe in the ninth.

Up 7-5, the Cardinals sent closer Ryan Franklin (1-0) to the mound to try to maintain his stretch of perfection. He was 9 for 9 in save chances and hadn't given up a run yet this season. More impressive: Franklin had only allowed four hits in 13 2-3 innings.

Jerry Hairston Jr. ended his perfect streak by leading off with a homer on a full count. No worry, Franklin thought.

"I felt I've still got it," he said. "I thought there was no way. I was focused."

With two outs, Cincinnati sent Micah Owings -- its fifth starter and one of its top pinch hitters -- to the plate. Owings worked the count full, fouled back three pitches, then hit a sloppy slider over the wall in left field, the ball barely making it into the seats.

Owings rounded second base with his right arm raised, got pummeled by teammates in the dugout and got to take a curtain call for the 27,664 fans cheering his sixth career homer.

"That's like what you do in the backyard -- 3-2, bottom of the ninth," Bruce said. "We were jumping around in the dugout. It was awesome."

Franklin was dumbstruck.

"That's an out anywhere else," Franklin said. "That's what happens."

Colby Rasmus changed the mood in the 10th with his RBI double off Francisco Cordero (0-2), who is perfect in nine save chances but has lost twice when pitching with the score tied.

Over? Not even close.

Cincinnati loaded the bases with two outs in the 10th against Blaine Boyer. Right-hander Chris Perez came on and got Janish to foul out, picking up his first save in two chances this season.

For the first time all weekend, the Cardinals could smile.

"That was really important," said Chris Duncan, who drove in three runs. "We didn't want to get swept."

Giants 7, Dodgers 5, 13 innings

At Los Angeles, Randy Winn hit a tiebreaking, two-run single with the bases loaded in the 13th inning and finished with four hits to lead the Giants.

Juan Pierre had three hits for the second straight game and scored three times for the Dodgers, who are 1-3 since Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for using a banned drug.

Brian Wilson (2-0) got the win with two innings of one-hit ball. Guillermo Mota (2-1) was the loser.

Mets 8, Pirates 4

At New York, Livan Hernandez (3-1) went six innings, allowing two runs and seven hits for his 150th career win, and the Mets won their seventh straight.

Pittsburgh has dropped eight in a row and 12 of 13 after an 11-7 start to the season.

Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer in the ninth and finished with three RBIs for the Pirates. Ian Snell (1-5) got the loss.

Cubs 4, Brewers 2

At Milwaukee, Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer in a four-run third inning to help the Cubs avoid a series sweep.

Sean Marshall (1-2) settled down after a rocky start, giving up a pair of runs and five hits in five innings for Chicago. Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

Jeff Suppan (2-3) went six innings, giving up four runs -- three earned -- and eight hits.

Braves 4, Phillies 2

At Philadelphia, Casey Kotchman had three hits and three RBIs, and Kenshin Kawakami (2-4) allowed two runs and five hits over six innings to help rally Atlanta.

Kotchman hit a two-out, two-run single off Jack Taschner (1-1) in the seventh inning and also had an RBI double in the ninth.

Rafael Soriano worked the ninth for his third save in three opportunities.

Matt Stairs went 2-for-2 with a run-scoring double and a walk and Ryan Howard also had a pair of doubles and scored two runs for the Phillies.

Rockies 3, Marlins 2

At Denver, Aaron Cook pitched six innings and Troy Tulowitzki homered as part of a third consecutive multi-hit game to help Colorado snap a three-game skid.

Cook (2-1) allowed two runs -- one earned -- and four hits for the Rockies.

Huston Street got three outs for his fourth save in four chances.

Chris Volstad (2-2) went six innings for Florida, allowing two earned runs and seven hits.

Diamondbacks 10, Nationals 8

At Phoenix, Chris Snyder and Eric Byrnes each drove in three runs and the Diamondbacks gave manager A.J. Hinch his first victory.

Ryan Zimmerman pushed his hitting streak to 28 games with a double and two singles, and Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham both homered twice.

Arizona's Justin Upton had three hits, including a double, to run his hitting streak to 17 games, second only to Zimmerman's in the majors this season. Ryan Roberts also had three of the Diamondbacks' season-high 17 hits as Arizona snapped a three-game slide.

Esmerling Vasquez (1-1) got the win and Chad Qualls worked the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.

Washington's Logan Kensing (0-2) allowed four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Astros 12, Padres 5

At Houston, Miguel Tejada and Carlos Lee each drove in four runs to help Astros ace Roy Oswalt get his first win.

Ivan Rodriguez had four hits for Houston, which set season highs for runs and hits (16) while completing a sweep.

Oswalt (1-2) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings.

Josh Geer (0-1) lasted only three-plus innings for San Diego. Geer gave up seven runs, five earned, and seven hits.

Chase Headley and Adrian Gonzalez each hit a two-run homer for the Padres, who have lost 10 of 12.

[Associated Press; By JOE KAY]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.