A bases-loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth gave Milwaukee a 4-3 victory over the St Louis Cardinals on Friday in the National League, snapping the Brewers’ six-game losing streak in style.
After looking lethargic most of the game, the Brewers came alive after the Cardinals recorded two outs on the first two pitches of the ninth.
A single, a blooper to right field and a walk loaded the bases, and Rickie Weeks hit the two-run single to left field to win the game.
PHOTO: AP
St Louis has lost three straight for the first time this season.
Astros 7, Dodgers 1
In Los Angeles, Brian Moehler pitched five scoreless innings to steer Houston past Los Angeles.
Lance Berkman went 3-for-4 with a home run for the Astros.
Moehler, filling in because of injuries, allowed five hits and a walk while striking out five. He has spent the majority of his big league career as a starter, though had been used exclusively in relief since rejoining Houston last year.
Phillies 7, Giants 4
In San Francisco, Jimmy Rollins led Philadelphia to victory over San Francisco in his long-awaited return. The reigning NL MVP came off the disabled list and hit a two-run homer, an RBI double and a single.
The Giants lost their season-high fifth straight game to drop a season-worst eight games under .500.
Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 1
In Chicago, the home side downed Arizona in the first meeting between the teams since the Diamondbacks’ first-round sweep in last year’s playoffs.
Arizona’s Chris Young homered off Ted Lilly in Game 2 last October — prompting Lilly to slam his glove on the pitcher’s mound in frustration — and he did it again on Friday with a solo homer off the Cubs pitcher in the first inning.
But from there, Lilly gave up only two hits over the next six innings, striking out 10 against the team with the best record in the majors, and also drove in the tying run with a fifth-inning single.
In other games it was:
• Rockies 4, Padres 2
• Pirates 3, Braves 2
• Marlins 7, Nationals 3
AP, ST. PETERSBURG, Florida
James Shields pitched a one-hitter to steer the Tampa Bay Rays to a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels in the American League on Friday.
Evan Longoria’s two-run, ninth-inning homer snapped a scoreless tie. Shields rebounded from the second-shortest outing of his career to post his second shutout in his past three starts.
Twins 7, Red Sox 6
In Minneapolis, struggling Mike Lamb hit a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to give Minnesota a win over Boston.
Lamb, who entered the game to replace an injured second baseman, was averaging only .207 for the season before hitting Jonathan Papelbon’s two-out 1-2 pitch for the game winner.
Tigers 6, Yankees 5
In Detroit, Kenny Rogers pitched into the seventh inning to guide Detroit over New York.
Ivan Rodriguez had three hits, driving in a pair of runs for the Tigers. Rogers held the Yankees to two runs before New York scored three runs in the ninth.
Rogers picked off a runner at first base in the second inning, giving him the big league record with 92 career pickoffs. The stat has been kept since 1974.
Rangers 4, Athletics 0
In Arlington, Texas, the home side posted its third straight shutout to end Oakland’s four-game winning streak. Scott Feldman pitched six innings and then the bullpen combined to extend Texas’ pitchers’ scoreless streak to 31 in a row.
The last time a major league team had three consecutive shutouts was Florida in 2005. Minnesota was the last American League team to accomplish that feat, in 2004.
In other games it was:
• Indians 6, Blue Jays 1
• Orioles 7, Royals 4
• White Sox 4, Mariners 2
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