* Orioles 11, Rangers 9
Alfonso Soriano hit two of Chicago's four homers and had five RBIs as the Cubs continued their late-season power display, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 on Saturday to solidify their lead in the National League Central.
Soriano hit a solo shot to tie the game in the second and a two-run blast in the fifth for his team-leading 31st homer. The Cubs' star has four home runs in three games and 13 in the 25 games since he came off the disabled list on Aug. 28. He added a two-run double in the seventh.
Aramis Ramirez, who had two homers on Friday, added another and Derrek Lee also went deep as the Cubs hit four homers for the second straight game.
Mets 7, Marlins 2
At Miami, Oliver Perez pitched eight innings, Moises Alou extended his hitting streak to a team record-tying 26 games and New York strengthened its hold on the NL East by beating Florida.
Following a brief swoon earlier this month, the Mets won their second straight. New York's magic number to clinch the division was seven with eight games to play.
Perez (15-9) gave up six hits, one walk and one earned run while striking out eight. Aaron Heilman completed the seven-hitter.
Phillies 4, Nationals 1, 10 innings
At Washington, Ryan Howard drove in the go-ahead run, helping Philadelphia down Washington and keep pace in the NL East.
Chase Utley homered for the Phillies, who won for the ninth time in 10 games.
Philadelphia trails San Diego by a half-game in the wild-card race.
In other National League action on Saturday it was:
* Rockies 6, Padres 2
* Braves 4, Brewers 3, 11 innings
* Diamondbacks 6, Dodgers 2
* Cardinals 7, Astros 4
* Giants 2, Reds 0
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