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National League Game Capsules

POSTED: 1:46 am EDT September 8, 2008

(Sports Network) - Jolbert Cabrera's game-winning RBI single capped a three-run ninth inning as the Cincinnati Reds came back to shock the Chicago Cubs, 4-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park. With the Reds trailing 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth and Kerry Wood (4-4) on the mound for the Cubs, Edwin Encarnacion led off the frame with a single and Jay Bruce walked. Following a fielder's choice groundout by Ryan Hanigan, Javier Valentin drew a free pass to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Chris Dickerson then stepped to the plate and hit a sharp grounder up the middle that couldn't be handled by shortstop Ronny Cedeno, allowing two runs to score and the Reds to tie the contest, 3-3. The play was initially scored as an error, but was changed to a base hit after the game. Cabrera then hammered an 0-1 fastball to left, scoring pinch-runner Wilkin Castillo with the winning run. Cabrera finished 1-for-5, while Corey Patterson knocked in a run for Cincinnati, which has won three of its last four. Aaron Harang started for the Reds, but didn't figure in the decision. The veteran righty gave up three runs on six hits while fanning five and walking three over seven innings. Francisco Cordero (5-4) earned the win after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth. Cedeno and Mike Fontenot each knocked in a run for the Cubs, who have lost seven of their last eight games. Despite the setback, Chicago remains four games ahead of Milwaukee for first place in the National League Central. The Brewers lost 10-1 to San Diego on Sunday. Sean Marshall pitched six solid innings in earning a no-decision. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits, while striking out three and walking two.

Final Score: Washington 7, Atlanta 4 (14 innings)

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Elijah Dukes' three-run double in the 14th inning put the Nationals on top, and Washington held on for a 7-4 win in the finale of a four-game set. Lastings Milledge homered, and Alberto Gonzalez homered and hit the game-tying two-run double in the eighth for Washington, which won back-to-back extra inning games to earn a split in the series. Collin Balester gave up four runs on 11 hits in six innings to take a no- decision for Washington, and Steven Shell (2-1) got the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Chipper Jones went 3-for-6 and drove in two runs for the Braves, who were swept by the last-place Nationals in Washington at the end of August, and then dropped two straight after winning the first two of this series. Jo-Jo Reyes gave up one run on four hits in six frames for a no- decision, and Jeff Bennett (2-6) gave up Dukes' bases-clearing double in the 14th to take the loss.

Final Score: San Diego 10, Milwaukee 1

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Chris Young lost his bid for a perfect game on Gabe Kapler's solo homer with two outs in the eighth, but held on for his first career complete game as the San Diego Padres routed the Milwaukee Brewers 10-1 in the finale of a four-game set. Holding a 10-0 lead and only four outs away from the 18th perfect game in major league history and the first since 2004, Young surrendered the homer to Kapler. The no-doubt-about- it blast went into the stands down the line in left, Kapler's eighth, ending Young's bid for a perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout. Young (5-5) struck out five and gave up two hits while throwing just 96 pitches. Kevin Kouzmanoff homered, drove in two runs and scored twice, and Chase Headley also homered and scored twice for the Padres, who forged a split in the series. Manny Parra (10-7) gave up six runs -- only one earned -- on six hits in five innings. The Brewers' shoddy fielding continued to hurt them, as they committed two costly errors in a five-run third inning for the Padres. Milwaukee has lost five of seven, and failed to take advantage of the simultaneous stumbling by NL Central-leading Chicago, which lost again on Sunday and holds a four-game lead over the Brewers. Milwaukee's lead over Philadelphia in the NL wild card race stands at four games as the Phillies split a doubleheader against the Mets in New York on Sunday.

Final Score: St. Louis 3, Florida 1

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Adam Wainwright threw eight dominant innings and Albert Pujols hit a two-run home run to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-1 win over Florida, in the rubber match of a three-game set. Wainwright (9-3) gave up the one run on six hits and a walk, and struck out six, to earn the win. The Cardinals have won two in a row, and moved within five games of Milwaukee for first in the NL wild card race. The Brewers were blown out, 10-1, by San Diego on Sunday. Felipe Lopez went 2-for-3, while Josh Phelps had a run-scoring pinch-hit for St. Louis. Josh Johnson (4-1) took the loss despite a solid outing. In 6 2/3 innings, the Marlins starter gave up three runs on seven hits and a pair of walks, while striking out five. Mike Jacobs homered as part of a 2-for-3 day to provide Florida's lone run.

Final Score: Philadelphia 6, New York 2 (Game One) Final Score: New York 6, Philadelphia 3 (Game Two)

Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Greg Dobbs clubbed a three-run homer and Jamie Moyer tossed seven shutout innings, as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the New York Mets, 6-2, in the opener of a day-night doubleheader from Shea Stadium. Moyer (13-7), the oldest player in the majors at 45, scattered two hits, walked three and fanned one en route to his third straight win. In the second game, Carlos Delgado stroked a pair of solo home runs and finished with four RBI as the Mets took a 6-3 victory over the Phillies to split the doubleheader. Johan Santana (13-7), who hasn't lost a game since June 28, got the win for giving up just two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. He hasn't lost the past 13 games he's started, but is just 6-0 during that run. The Mets hold a two-game lead over Philadelphia for first place in the NL East. This was the last meeting between these teams for the regular season and New York won 11 of the 18 contests. In addition to trailing New York for the division, the Phillies trail Milwaukee by four games for the NL Wild Card spot. New York got some bad news after the game as closer Billy Wagner tested his arm Sunday between games and threw pitches to teammate Gustavo Molina, but it did not turn out well. He hit the reserve catcher on the left foot with his 13th pitch and walked off the field to consult with a trainer and the Mets' coaching staff. The left-hander was expereincing discomfort in the elbow and will be re-examined by a doctor on Monday. Early reports are that he might be done for the season.

Final Score: Houston 7, Colorado 5

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - David Newhan hit a go-ahead RBI triple in a two-run eighth inning as the Houston Astros came back to edge the Colorado Rockies, 7-5, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Coors Field. Jose Castillo finished 3-for-3 with two RBI, a walk and a run scored, while Mark Loretta added three hits, including a double and an RBI for Houston, which has won 10 of their last 11. The streaking Astros are six games behind Milwaukee for the National League Wild Card spot. Wandy Rodriguez started for Houston but was removed from the game after one inning due to a left oblique strain. He allowed one hit and struck out three before being replaced by Jack Cassel, who went four innings. The right-hander gave up two runs on four hits, struck out two and walked a pair. Journeyman Doug Brocail (7-5) earned the win after tossing one shutout inning. Jose Valverde earned his 40th save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth. Brad Hawpe had a pair of hits, including a three-run homer and Matt Holliday had a two-run double for the Rockies, who have dropped six of their last 10 games. Jorge De La Rosa started for Colorado and was tagged with four runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings of work. The lefty struck out three, but struggled with his control, issuing four walks. Taylor Buchholz (6-5) gave up two runs in the eighth to take the loss.

Final Score: San Francisco 11, Pittsburgh 6

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Pablo Sandoval went 2-for-3 and drove in five runs, including a three-run double in San Francisco's 10-run fourth inning, as the Giants came back to down the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-6 in the rubber match of a three-game set. Sandoval's three-run double cost the Pirates more than just the game, as it ricocheted off the face of All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth, cutting him above his left eye and forcing him to leave the game. Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez allowed three runs -- two earned -- on five hits in three innings. Osiris Matos (1-2) picked up the win despite allowing two runs in one inning of relief. Randy Winn went 2- for-5, knocked in a run and scored for the Giants, who have won three of four. Jeff Karstens (2-5) gave up eight runs -- five earned -- on six hits in three- plus innings to take the loss. Jason Michaels went 2-for-3, drove in two runs and scored for the Pirates, who have dropped three of four and 17 of 22 overall. Pittsburgh's loss, its 82nd of the season, guaranteed a losing campaign, its 16th straight. The streak ties the longest in major league history. The Philadelphia Phillies also had 16 straight losing seasons, from 1933-1948.

Final Score: Los Angeles 5, Arizona 3

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Nomar Garciaparra's sacrifice fly drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-3, to complete a three-game sweep from Chavez Ravine. James Loney knocked in three runs for the Dodgers, who have won eight games in a row to match their season-high. Andre Ethier finished 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored for Los Angeles, which increased its lead in the NL West standings to 1 1/2 games over Arizona. Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw allowed three runs on six hits in four innings, while Hong-Chih Kuo (5-2) picked up the win after tossing a 1 1/3 scoreless frames. Jonathan Broxton recorded the final five outs to notch his 13th save. Chris Snyder homered and drove in two runs in the loss, the Diamondbacks' sixth in eight games. Adam Dunn also homered for Arizona. Arizona was to start Randy Johnson on Sunday, but the five-time Cy Young Award winner was scratched due to shoulder fatigue. Max Scherzer started in his place and came away with a no-decision. The 24-year-old right-hander, making just the fourth start of his career, gave up three runs on five hits in five-plus innings of work. He also walked one and struck out a career-high 11. Jon Rauch (4-6) absorbed the loss after he gave up two runs -- one earned -- in two-thirds of an inning.


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