National LeagueRich Hill allowed five hits in eight strong innings of work and Matt Murton and Ryan Theriot homered on Friday as the Chicago Cubs ended a six-game losing streak by beating the San Francisco Giants 6-2.
The Giants started the day 2 1/2 games back in Major League Baseball's National League wild-card race and 5 1/2 behind first-place Los Angeles in the NL West.
Hill (4-6), who pitched shutout ball for seven innings, walked one and struck out a total of six hitters. Murton and Theriot connected into the wind against Giants starter Noah Lowry (7-8), who gave up eight hits and six runs in five innings.
PHOTO: EPA
Cardinals 3, Pirates 1
At St. Louis, Chris Carpenter pitched a three-hitter to beat Pittsburgh for the fourth time this season.
Juan Encarnacion had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who are 6-1 during a nine-game home stand to regain control of the NL Central.
PHOTO: AP
Marlins 3, Brewers 2
At Milwaukee, rookie Anibal Sanchez pitched seven strong innings and Cody Ross hit a two-run home run to help Florida hand Milwaukee its eighth straight loss.
Mets 8, Astros 7
At Houston, pinch hitter Jose Valentin hit an RBI double to break an eighth-inning tie and Tom Glavine pitched five innings in his first start since being sidelined by a blood clot, leading New York over Houston.
Reds 6, Padres 2
At San Diego, Bronson Arroyo kept San Diego off-balance for seven innings and Rich Aurilia tied his career high with four hits, including a homer, as Cincinnati beat San Diego to snap a six-game losing streak.
Dodgers 6, Rockies 3
At Los Angeles, Derek Lowe came back from a rare relief appearance earlier in the week to earn his 13th victory in Los Angeles' win over Colorado.
American League
Alex Rodriguez homered twice and drove in three runs on Friday in the New York Yankees' 8-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Rodriguez homered in the second inning off Carlos Silva (8-13) to put the Yankees ahead, had a bases-loaded single in the four-run fifth, then hit his 29th homer off the season in the seventh against Matt Guerrier.
It was just the third multi-homer game of the year for A-Rod, the first since July 2.
He was in a 1-for-24 slump before getting three hits on Thursday, including a home run. He earned a pair of standing ovations on Friday from Yankees fans, who have repeatedly booed him this season.
In a matchup with implications on the pennant and batting races, Derek Jeter went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .342.
Minnesota's Joe Mauer ended an 0-for-16 slide with a single to center in the fourth that bounced out of the web of Johnny Damon's glove when he tried for a sliding catch. Mauer went 1-for-2 with a walk and is batting a league-leading .350.
Red SoX 2, Blue Jays 1
At Boston, Kyle Snyder allowed two hits in seven innings and Mike Lowell homered for the second straight game to lead Boston past Toronto.
Tigers 9, Angels 0
At Detroit, Kenny Rogers and two relievers combined on a five-hitter to help Detroit beat Los Angeles.
Devil Rays 2, Mariners 1
At St. Petersburg, Florida, pinch-hitter Ty Wigginton's game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning gave Tampa Bay the win and handed Seattle its 12th straight road loss.
Indians 7, Rangers 2
At Arlington, Texas, Grady Sizemore went 3-for-3 with a homer and Jake Westbrook pitched seven strong innings to help Cleveland beat Texas.
Royals 7, White Sox 5
At Kansas City, Missouri, Mark Teahen hit a two-run homer to highlight a six-run fourth inning and Kansas City held off Chicago.
Athletics 5, Orioles 4
At Oakland, California, Frank Thomas' two-run homer in the seventh inning helped Oakland beat Baltimore for its 10th straight home victory.
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