National League roundup

[October 03, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The surging Colorado Rockies are poised to pull off an improbable finish.

Ubaldo Jimenez allowed a run and two hits over six innings and struck out 10, leading the Rockies to a 4-3 victory Friday night over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and trimming their lead to one. Colorado has won five straight and nine of 12, while the Dodgers have lost a season-worst five in a row.

"It's unfortunate, but I don't think anyone's worried too much," said Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake, who struck out all four times up after missing the previous eight games because of a left hamstring strain. "It's kind of brutal the way it's going down. We're frustrated, but whether we win the division or not, we're going to the playoffs. And that's what it's all about."

The Dodgers have been atop the division since April 15, enjoying a season-high nine-game lead on July 25. The Rockies were a season-worst 15 1/2 games out after a loss on June 3 dropped their record to 20-32. But they won their next 11 games and 17 of 18.

"It's unbelievable to think that we were fighting just to fend off the Giants. Then it was the Braves - and now we find ourselves having a chance to win the division," said Jason Giambi, who joined the Rockies on Sept. 1 after cut by Oakland. "It's unbelievable how resilient this team has been."

Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run homer and Yorvit Torrealba had a two-run double for the Rockies, who are trying to become the first team in major league history to finish in first place after trailing by more than 15 games.

"We got back to where we are by sticking to the philosophy of trying to win each day. And we're not going to let up on that philosophy," Huston Street said after getting four outs for his 35th save. "You play 162 as best you can, and maintaining that edge and that mindset is going to be more beneficial going into the postseason."

If the Rockies sweep the three-game series, they will end up with their first division title in the franchise's 17-year history. Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start Saturday for Los Angeles against Jorge De La Rosa.

"It's much easier said than done, beating this club three times," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, who guided the Dodgers to a division title in 2004. "But if you looked back in May when we were 15 1/2 games back, who would have thought that if we sweep these three games we'd win the division? I think that says everything about this team's unselfishness, resiliency and refusing to get beat."

The victory was only the fourth by Colorado in 16 meetings this season with Los Angeles. The rest of the year, the Rockies are 88-56 while the Dodgers are 81-63.

"Nobody's tight. This is baseball. You have good weeks and bad weeks," said Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, who matched a career high by striking out all four times up. "It's not finished until the end. We don't think about the championship. We're thinking about tomorrow and De La Rosa."

Jimenez (15-12) matched a season high for strikeouts. Randy Wolf (11-7) gave up two runs and five hits over five innings.

Marlins 7, Phillies 2

In Philadelphia, Florida overcame Ryan Howard's early home run to beat the NL East champions again.

Cameron Maybin had four hits, scored three times and drove in a run, and Jorge Cantu drove in three runs. The Marlins have won six of the last seven against the Phillies.

Diamondbacks 12, Cubs 3

In Chicago, Eric Byrnes had his first multihomer game in more than two years and drove in five runs.

Chris Young homered and had four hits, and Rusty Ryal drove in four runs for Arizona (69-91), which already is assured of finishing last in the NL West.

Pirates 3, Reds 1

In Cincinnati, rookie Daniel McCutchen pitched into the seventh inning for his first major league win and Lastings Milledge homered.

Andy LaRoche drove in two runs despite twice being thrown out trying to stretch singles into doubles.

McCutchen (1-2) had been winless in five starts for Pittsburgh. He held the Reds scoreless until Wladimir Balentien's home run.

Mets 7, Astros 1

In New York, Jeff Francoeur and Daniel Murphy each hit two-run homers and David Wright had an RBI double in the first and finished with three hits for New York, which was coming off an embarrassing three-game sweep at Washington.

Nationals 6, Braves 3

In Atlanta, rookie Ian Desmond homered, tripled and drove in three runs and the Washington Nationals kept won their fifth straight.

The Braves have lost four straight. They were eliminated from the NL wild-card race on Thursday.

Brewers 12, Cardinals 6

In St. Louis, Adam Wainwright's hope for a 20th victory unraveled along with St. Louis' bullpen and Milwaukee rallied for a win.

Wainwright retired 15 in a row before consecutive one-out doubles by Craig Counsell and Ryan Braun cut the deficit to 6-1 in the sixth, and was pulled after allowing singles to Jody Gerut and Alcides Escobar to start the seventh.

Reliever Kyle McClellan gave up Braun's tying, two-run double in the seventh before Jason Motte's wild pitch put Milwaukee ahead 7-6.

Giants 7, Padres 2

In San Diego, Barry Zito's last start of the season was marred when he was hit near his left elbow by Adrian Gonzalez's line drive in the sixth inning of San Francisco's win.

Zito grimaced and didn't go after the ball, which landed between the mound and third base. He was checked by a trainer and immediately left the game, which was tied at 1.

[Associated Press]

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