National League roundup

[May 20, 2009]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cole Hamels' run from promising rookie to World Series MVP started in Cincinnati. Three years later, he's still rough on the Reds.

The left-hander added another win to his resume of success in Cincinnati, going six innings to stay unbeaten against the Reds, and the Philadelphia Phillies held on Tuesday night for a 4-3 victory, their fifth in a row.

The NL East leaders matched their longest winning streak of the season behind Hamels (2-2), who made his big league debut on May 12, 2006, giving up one hit in five innings at Great American Ball Park. He's always been tough on Cincinnati's predominantly left-handed lineup.

"It's kind of a special place, kind of where everything started for me," said Hamels, who is 3-0 at Great American. "I want to make an impact every time I come here. I know they probably don't want to see that, but that's kind of my goal."

He reached it, with help from some of the Phillies' old dependables.

Ryan Howard hit a solo homer, and slumping Jimmy Rollins doubled and scored during Philadelphia's decisive three-run fifth inning off Johnny Cueto (4-2).

Hamels, last year's World Series MVP, has allowed five earned runs in 36 career innings against the Reds. He improved to 4-0 in five starts against Cincinnati, which got solo homers from Jay Bruce and Jerry Hairston Jr.

The Reds have lost a season-high four straight because their depleted offense is in a rut, scoring four runs in the last 28 innings. They wasted a chance in the ninth.

Star closer Brad Lidge had given up runs in six of his last eight appearances while his ERA climbed to 8.31. He allowed an infield single to Alex Gonzalez and walked Laynce Nix with one out in the ninth, then struck out Willy Taveras, in an 0-for-19 slump, and retired Hairston on a routine fly.

"We got runners in scoring position in the seventh, eighth and ninth, but we couldn't get that big hit," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We had Lidge on the ropes there. We were one hit away."

Howard led off the second inning with a homer, and the Phillies went up 4-1 with three runs in the fifth.

Rollins, the Phillies' dynamic leadoff hitter, has gone 8 for 22 during the winning streak, raising his average to .223 and offering hints he's getting his game together.

"Just him, who he is, brings a lot to our lineup," manager Charlie Manuel said. "But when he's hitting good, that's when we're really good."

The defending World Series champions are trying to fix their rotation, which ranked last in the NL with a 6.35 ERA. Manuel demoted struggling Chan Ho Park to the bullpen on Tuesday, replacing him with left-hander J.A. Happ.

The Reds opened the series unsure when they would have first baseman Joey Votto back in the lineup.

Votto, the team's top hitter at .366, came down with a severe case of the flu earlier this month and had to leave two games last weekend in San Diego because of dizziness. He had additional tests Tuesday, and more were scheduled for the next few days.

Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 3

At Miami, Mark Reynolds homered leading off a five-run seventh and Jon Garland (4-2) beat Josh Johnson (3-1) to give Arizona its second straight win after dropping seven of eight. Chad Qualls earned his ninth save. Hanley Ramirez homered for Florida, which has lost seven of eight and 13 of 17.

Braves 8, Rockies 1

At Atlanta, Jair Jurrjens (4-2) pitched seven strong innings, lowering his ERA to 1.96, and Casey Kotchman had three hits and three RBIs. Colorado's Todd Helton got his 2,000th hit.

Cardinals 3, Cubs 0

At St. Louis, Joel Pineiro (5-3) threw a three-hitter for his first shutout in six seasons and first complete game since 2006 as the Cardinals snapped a three-game slide.

Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer off Ted Lilly (5-3) for St. Louis, which expected to get pitcher Chris Carpenter and outfielder Rick Ankiel back for Wednesday's game.

Pirates 8, Nationals 5, 10 innings

At Washington, Adam LaRoche hit a two-run double in the 10th and Pittsburgh won its season-high fourth straight, while the Nationals lost their sixth in a row.

The Pirates are averaging 9.5 runs in their last four games. Washington became the fourth team in major league history to score at least five runs in each game of a six-game losing streak, according to STATS, LLC.

Brewers 4, Astros 2

At Houston, Dave Bush (3-0) pitched six solid innings, Trevor Hoffman improved to 10-for-10 in save chances and Milwaukee won its seventh straight. J.J. Hardy drove in two runs for the NL Central leaders, who have won 13 of 15.

Kaz Matsui stole home while Houston teammate Michael Bourn was in a rundown, and relief pitcher Russ Ortiz hit an unlikely homer for the Astros.

Padres 2, Giants 1

At San Diego, Barry Zito's first complete game since 2003 was spoiled by home runs by Scott Hairston and Nick Hundley, which carried the Padres to their fourth straight victory.

Zito (1-4) has received 10 runs of support in eight starts, the lowest average in the majors. Chris Young (3-2) was the winner and Heath Bell got his 10th save in 10 chances.

Dodgers 5, Mets 3

At Los Angeles, Casey Blake hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off John Maine (3-3) in the sixth and the Dodgers scored earlier with the help of another New York error.

Chad Billingsley (6-1) helped the NL West champions improve their major league-best record to 28-13 and extend their division lead over San Francisco to 7 1/2 games.

[Associated Press; By JOE KAY]

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