Cubs 5, Reds 1
In Cincinnati, Moises Alou hit a tiebreaking two-run double off Danny Graves (1-6) in the ninth as the Cubs got their sixth win in seven games.
Neifi Perez opened the inning with a bunt and reached when third baseman Ryan Freel's throw pulled first baseman Sean Casey off the bag for an error. Reds manager Dave Miley was ejected for the third time this season when he threw his cap to the ground while arguing the call with first-base umpire Jim Reynolds.
Chicago trailed 1-0 before pinch-hitter Ben Grieve's sacrifice fly off Paul Wilson in the eighth. Jon Leicester (5-0) pitched a perfect eighth, and LaTroy Hawkins finished for his 23rd save.
Marlins 3, Braves 0
In Miami, Ismael Valdez (13-8) allowed two hits in six innings, Jeff Conine drove in all three runs and Florida averted a series sweep, remaining 4 1/2 games behind San Francisco. Attendance was 41,525, the Marlins' largest home crowd since April 10.
Conine broke up a scoreless duel in the sixth against Russ Ortiz (14-9) with a two-run homer, then singled home an unearned run in the eighth. Armando Benitez completed the three-hitter with a perfect ninth for his 43rd save, matching a career high. The shutout was the 14th for Florida, most in the majors.
Dodgers 7, Rockies 6
In Denver, Shawn Green homered on a two-out, 0-2 pitch off Shawn Chacon (1-9) in the ninth, and Los Angeles overcame a five-run deficit for the second time in three games to maintain a 2 1/2-game lead over second-place San Francisco in the NL West. Six of its final 13 games are against the Giants.
Yhency Brazoban (2-0) pitched one inning, and Eric Gagne pitched a perfect ninth for his 42nd save. Dodgers starts Edwin Jackson allowed five runs in 4 2-3 innings.
Diamondbacks 3, Cardinals 2
In St. Louis, Rick Ankiel, who has battled wildness and injury, pitched two hitless innings with one walk and four strikeouts -- striking out the side in the fifth on 14 pitches. It was his first outing at Busch Stadium since May 10, 2001.



