NATIONAL LEAGUE
Los Angeles’ Andre Ethier set a major league hitting record, but it was not enough to prevent the Dodgers sliding to a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Florida Marlins in the National League on Tuesday.
Ethier hit safely for his 23rd straight game, the most by any player ever in April.
Mike Stanton drove in two runs and Gaby Sanchez homered, while Hanley Ramirez added a pair of hits and scored two runs for the Marlins, who have won seven of eight.
Florida starter Chris Volstad (1-1) allowed a baserunner in all but two of his seven innings, but kept himself out of serious trouble, allowing two runs while striking out five.
With the score tied 2-2 in the sixth, Chris Coghlan and Ramirez singled. Sanchez walked to load the bases before Stanton hit a two-run single off Clayton Kershaw (2-3).
ROCKIES 4, CUBS 3
In Chicago, Todd Helton hit two home runs as the Colorado Rockies beat Chicago.
It was the 27th career multihomer game for Helton and his first since 2007.
Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa (4-0) allowed one earned run in seven innings. Closer Huston Street gave up a solo homer to Alfonso Soriano leading off the ninth before closing out the Cubs for his ninth straight save to start the season.
Chicago starter James Russell (1-3) gave up four runs and four walks in four innings.
Ty Wigginton had three hits for Colorado, including a homer and a double. Troy Tulowitzki added two hits and an RBI double in the third.
DIAMONDBACKS 7, PHILLIES 5
In Phoenix, Arizona, pitcher Daniel Hudson doubled in two runs to help earn his first victory of the season as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Philadelphia.
Hudson (1-4) gave up two runs in six innings, striking out six with no walks. His two-run double in Arizona’s three-run second inning put the Diamondbacks ahead for good.
Phillies starter Roy Oswalt (3-1) saw his string of 10 consecutive winning decisions come to an end. He lasted just three innings, allowing five runs with no strikeouts.
Brewers 3, Reds 2
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder all hit solo homers as -Milwaukee beat Cincinnati for the first time this season.
Milwaukee had been 0-4 against the Reds this year and losers of 19 of 22 against them, but Weeks helped end that run by homering off reliever Logan Ondrusek (2-2) to lead off the eighth.
Fielder hit his to begin the second to drive in his major league-leading 23rd run. Braun’s shot to start the fourth was his major league-leading ninth this season.
Brewers reliever Kameron Loe (2-1) worked the eighth and John Axford threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his fifth save.
ASTROS 6, CARDINALS 5
In Houston, Texas, Bill Hall’s ninth-inning RBI single gave the Houston Astros a win over St Louis.
Brian Bogusevic came home on a wild pitch by closer Mitchell Boggs (0-1) earlier in the inning to tie the scores. Angel Sanchez and Hunter Pence both singled to load the bases and set up Hall’s winner.
Former Astro Lance Berkman had put the Cardinals on top 5-4 in the top of the ninth with an RBI double off Brandon Lyon (2-1) before Hall ruined his homecoming.
In other league action, it was:
‧ Giants 3, Pirates 2, 10 inns
‧ Braves 8, Padres 2
‧ Mets 6, Nationals 4
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, CLEVELAND, OHIO
Justin Masterson won his fifth straight start as the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 9-4 on Tuesday to open a two-and-a-half game lead in the American League Central division.
Masterson allowed five hits in 6-2/3 innings to move to a 5-0 record — the reverse of his 0-5 start last year.
Cleveland’s Jack Hannahan hit solo shots in the third and fifth off Luke Hochevar (2-3), while Shin-soo Choo connected for a three-run homer in the seventh on reliever Louis Coleman’s first pitch to make it 7-3.
Grady Sizemore went 3-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Indians.
The Royals have dropped four in a row.
BLUE JAYS 10, RANGERS 3
In Arlington, Texas, Adam Lind homered twice and drove in five runs for Toronto in a rout of AL West-leading Texas.
Lind had an RBI single in Toronto’s five-run outburst in the first off Matt Harrison (3-2). Lind then homered leading off the third and hit a three-run homer the next inning for his fifth career multihomer game — three of them at Rangers Ballpark.
Toronto’s Jesse Litsch (2-1), recalled from the minors to make the start, held Texas to seven hits over six innings.
ANGELS 8, ATHLETICS 3
In Anaheim, California, Alexi Amarista hit a two-run double on the third pitch he ever saw in the major leagues and added a sacrifice fly as Los Angeles beat the Oakland Athletics.
Howie Kendrick had three hits and scored three runs for the Angels. Los Angeles starter Tyler Chatwood (2-1) pitched 5-1/3 innings and allowed three runs.
Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy (1-2) surrendered seven runs over 5-1/3 innings.
WHITE SOX 3, YANKEES 2
In New York, late substitute Brent Lillibridge made two spectacular catches in a row to save the Chicago White Sox and deny New York.
Lillibridge entered as a pinch-runner in the eighth and scored on Paul Konerko’s go-ahead homer off struggling setup man Rafael Soriano (1-1).
Lillibridge stayed in the game in right field and, with two runners on in the ninth, raced back to the wall to make a terrific catch of Alex Rodriguez’s drive for the second out, keeping Chicago in front and also keeping the runners at first and second. Robinson Cano then hit a line drive to right and Lillibridge charged in for the final out.
In other league action, it was:
‧ Mariners 7, Tigers 3
‧ Orioles 4, Red Sox 1
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