National League roundup

[September 30, 2009]  DENVER (AP) -- After feeling his pain for so long, Chris Iannetta's teammates relished the chance to mob him at home plate when his homer in the 11th inning gave the Colorado Rockies a 7-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It's huge. There is no guy lacking an important role on this team right now," said Jason Marquis, who was in line for a career-best 16th win Tuesday night until Huston Street blew his second save in the ninth by serving up a three-run homer to Jason Kendall that tied it at 5.

Thanks to Iannetta's pinch-hit two-run shot off David Weathers, the Rockies widened their NL wild-card lead to three games over Atlanta with five remaining.

The Braves lost 5-4 to Florida, just their third loss in 18 games.

The Rockies' latest unlikely hero -- last game, it was Clint Barmes' game-saving catch in the ninth -- was a catcher who scuffled much of the summer and lost his starting job last month when Yorvit Torrealba got into a groove at the plate.

"It's tough because you want to play," Iannetta said. "Torry's been playing incredibly well and it's what needed to happen. I've been struggling for most of the year. He's come up big the last month and won some games for us ... so I understand it completely.

"But it doesn't change your desire to want to play and want to contribute. That's what I've said this whole time: I just want to be able to contribute -- and it was great to do so."

His teammates were just as thrilled for him.

"It's good to see I-Man hit that home run right there," Todd Helton said. "Every time he goes up to the plate, you pull for him. He's such a good guy and he works really hard and it's a season-changer right there for him."

And maybe for the Rockies, who are on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth.

A loss on this night would have haunted them. Kendall has just one other homer in 433 at-bats this season. And Street hadn't blown a save since June 2 and was perfect at home in 14 previous chances.

"There's probably two people in the league that a home run never enters your mind -- (David) Eckstein and Kendall," Street said. "And Kendall might actually be No. 1."

Street said he just left a pitch out over the plate.

"He spun a slider," Kendall said. "I was just trying to hit a liner up the middle. I don't hit home runs, he spun one and I got the good part of the bat on it. He just left it up."

Matt Belisle (3-1) picked up the win with a perfect 11th. Weathers (4-6) walked Brad Hawpe and got pinch-hitter Jason Giambi to pop out before Iannetta connected.

Padres 3, Dodgers 1

At San Diego, Tony Gwynn Jr. homered, Kevin Kouzmanoff singled in the go-ahead run and the Dodgers again failed to clinch their second straight NL West title.

The Dodgers have lost three straight since securing a playoff spot on Saturday night.

Heath Bell got his NL-best 41st save and Ryan Webb (2-0) earned the win.

Chad Billingsley (12-11) lost for the fifth time in his last seven starts.

Phillies 7, Astros 4

At Philadelphia, Pedro Feliz hit a grand slam and the Phillies moved closer to their third straight NL East title. The defending World Series champions' magic number for winning the division was reduced to one when Atlanta lost to Florida.

J.A. Happ (12-4) allowed four runs -- three earned -- and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings, striking out six. Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer and Philadelphia's injury-plagued bullpen tossed 3 1-3 scoreless innings.

Marlins 5, Braves 4

At Atlanta, Jorge Cantu hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh and Florida snapped the Braves' seven-game winning streak but was eliminated from playoff contention when the Rockies won later Tuesday night.

Cameron Maybin's two-run homer gave the Marlins a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning before Matt Diaz hit a tying three-run drive in the sixth for the Braves.

Renyel Pinto (4-1) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings to earn his first win since June 30. Leo Nunez worked the ninth for his 25th save.

Giants 8, Diamondbacks 4

At San Francisco, Bengie Molina homered twice and Pablo Sandoval had four hits to keep the Giants' slim wild-card hopes alive.

The Giants trail wild card-leading Colorado by five with five games left. Jonathan Sanchez (8-12) allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Reds 7, Cardinals 2

At Cincinnati, Jay Bruce homered twice and had a career-high five RBIs to help send the NL Central-champion Cardinals to their fourth loss in five games.

Homer Bailey (7-5) pitched seven solid innings and Joey Votto also connected for the Reds, who have won seven of eight.

Joel Pineiro (15-12) allowed seven runs and eight hits in six innings to fall to 1-3 in his last four starts.

Nationals 4, Mets 3

At Washington, Justin Maxwell scored the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning thanks to two wild throws by New York.

Tyler Clippard (3-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and Mike MacDougal picked up his 18th save with a scoreless ninth thanks to Elijah Dukes' spectacular catch to end the game.

Cubs 6, Pirates 0

At Chicago, Ryan Dempster pitched a five-hitter for his third career shutout to lead the Cubs, who have won seven of nine but were eliminated from the playoff race when Colorado beat Milwaukee.

Dempster (11-8) struck out six and walked two in his first shutout since July 3, 2001.

[Associated Press; By ARNIE STAPLETON]

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