Votto powers Reds over Nationals

By JOE KAY

AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI — Joey Votto gave the Washington Nationals one more heartache in a week already full of them.

Votto hit a grand slam in the ninth inning for his third home run of the game on Sunday, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a rain-delayed 9-6 victory that knocked the Nationals out of first place in the NL East.

Washington headed home after a week that included two more players going on the disabled list with significant injuries and a 19-year-old rookie figuring in games in unusual ways.

Nothing was more unusual than how they let their chance to complete a sweep slip away.

“It was a tough night in the conditions and everything, but we gave them some cheap runs and you can’t do that,” manager Davey Johnson said.

They couldn’t contain Votto, either.

The 2010 NL MVP hit solo homers in his first two at-bats off Edwin Jackson, then flied out to the warning track and doubled. Given one more chance by struggling closer Henry Rodriguez, he thrilled a crowd that sat through a long delay and then more rain.

Washington came into the game with only 15 homers allowed all season, fewest in the majors. Votto hadn’t hit a homer since April 30.

He got the chance for last-swing drama when Rodriguez (1-3) got into the game and couldn’t get comfortable on the wet mound. Rodriguez walked two batters with two outs to load the bases, including Chris Heisey after getting ahead in the count 0-2.

Johnson came out to visit Rodriguez, who repeatedly scraped at the wet mound with his cleats.

“Rodriguez didn’t have command and he was kicking at the mound,” Johnson said. “Rodriguez has done such a great job. You just can’t walk guys like that. You don’t want Votto up there ever. He walked the guys he should have gotten out.”

Rodriguez left a 2-2 pitch up and over the plate for Votto, who hit it over the wall in center. He finished with a career-high six RBIs and the second three-homer game of his career.

It was Votto’s best day since he signed a new deal before opening day that added 10 years and $225 million.

“He did today what he’s been known to do,” Jackson said. “That’s what he got paid a lot of money to do.”

The last player to hit a game-ending home run in a three-homer game was Albert Pujols for St. Louis against Cincinnati on April 16, 2006, according to STATS LLC.

Giancarlo Stanton also hit a game-ending slam Sunday for Miami against the New York Mets, making it the first time in 14 years that there were two walk-off slams on one day. Mo Vaughn connected for Boston and Steve Finley for San Diego on April 10, 1998.

A few thousand fans were left to cheer Cincinnati’s first game-ending grand slam since Adam Dunn connected off Cleveland’s Bob Wickman on June 30, 2006.

Sean Marshall (1-2) got the win at the end of the long day. The start was delayed 3 hours, 36 minutes by rain, which continued to fall throughout the 3-hour, 45-minute game.

Ahead 6-3, the Nationals couldn’t close out what would have been their first three-game sweep of the season. The Reds got two runs in the eighth when rookie right fielder Bryce Harper lost Jay Bruce’s two-out fly ball in the twilight sky, letting it fall way behind him for a double.

“Once the ball got above the stands, I lost it,” Harper said. “It was hazy. I had no clue. I didn’t think he hit it that deep.”

Then, their closer let it slip away, concluding a painful one-week trip.

Right fielder Jayson Werth had surgery on his broken left wrist Monday, and Harper needed 10 stitches for a self-inflicted gash above his left eye on Friday after he hurt himself slamming a bat against a wall near the dugout. Catcher Wilson Ramos tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while chasing a passed ball Saturday night.

Despite sending 11 players to the disabled list already this season, the Nationals had managed to stay atop the NL East because of their pitching staff, which leads the majors. For one of the few times, it let them down, and Washington dropped into second place behind Atlanta.

MARLINS 8, METS 4

MIAMI (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-out grand slam to cap a ninth-inning rally by the Miami Marlins, who beat an angry Frank Francisco and the New York Mets.

The walk-off victory was the second in the three-game series for the Marlins, who have won 10 of their past 12 games.

It was the first time in 14 years that there were two walk-off slams on one day, according to STATS LLC. Mo Vaughn connected for Boston and Steve Finley for San Diego on April 10, 1998.

The Marlins trailed 4-2 when Emilio Bonifacio led off the ninth with his second triple of the game against Francisco (1-3). John Buck walked and pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs followed with an RBI single.

Francisco was then replaced, and he walked slowly toward plate umpire Todd Tichenor, hollering angrily. Manager Terry Collins stepped between Tichenor and Francisco, who waved his index finger and then his cap at the ump before finally heading to the dugout. Francisco was ejected even though he was already out of the game.

Francisco’s ERA rose to 8.56. He blew a save in the series opener Friday night.

Manny Acosta replaced Francisco, and Jose Reyes’ sacrifice fly made the score 4-all. Miami then loaded the bases for Stanton.

Struggling reliever Heath Bell (2-3) earned the win even though he gave up pinch-hitter Justin Turner’s two-run double in the top of the ninth.

PHILLIES 3, PADRES 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels was stellar on the mound in his return from a five-game suspension, allowing one run in seven innings to help Philadelphia beat San Diego.

Hamels (5-1) was suspended by Major League Baseball after the left-hander intentionally hit Washington rookie Bryce Harper with a pitch.

It was Hamel’s fifth victory in his last six starts — all Philadelphia wins. The San Diego native allowed five hits while striking out five.

Jonathan Papelbon struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 10th save.

Jimmy Rollins opened the game with his first homer this season off Jeff Suppan (2-1), who gave up three runs — two earned — and six hits over six innings. It was the 38th leadoff home run for Rollins.

BRAVES 7, CARDINALS 4

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jason Heyward ended a 10-pitch at-bat with a three-run double in the third inning and Atlanta beat St. Louis to complete a three-game sweep and hand rookie Lance Lynn his first loss.

Tommy Hanson (4-3) allowed one run in five innings with nine strikeouts and Martin Prado, Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla each had an RBI in a three-run seventh. The Braves had lost seven in a row in St. Louis before Friday and swept the Cardinals for the first time since Sept. 11-13, 2009, also in St. Louis.

Lynn (6-1) missed a chance to become the franchise’s first pitcher to win his first seven starts of a season dating to 1920, according to STATS LLC.

Carlos Beltran homered for the sixth time in six games with his league-leading 13th of the season and Allen Craig hit a three-run shot off Cristhian Martinez in the ninth.

DODGERS 11, ROCKIES 5

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bobby Abreu hit a three-run double and A.J. Ellis added a three-run homer during a sixth-inning rally that carried Ted Lilly and Los Angeles past Colorado.

All-Star center fielder Matt Kemp, who leads the Dodgers with 12 homers and a .359 batting average, left the game because of an irritated left hamstring after grounding out in the third inning. He has played in 399 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the majors, but that streak is in serious jeopardy. He has an MRI scheduled for Monday.

Lilly (5-0) overcame a shaky start, allowing five runs — four earned — over 6 1-3 innings after giving up singles to each of his first four batters. The left-hander, who began the season on the disabled list because of a strained neck, left with a 2.11 ERA. He has won his first five decisions for the first time in his career.

Ellis tied a career high with four RBIs as the Dodgers improved baseball’s best record to 23-11.

Alex White (0-2) was charged with six runs over 4 1-3 innings in his second start of the season for the Rockies.

GIANTS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 3

PHOENIX (AP) — Melky Cabrera singled four times to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, Gregor Blanco drove in three runs with a pair of hits and San Francisco beat Arizona to take two of three from the Diamondbacks.

Brett Pill hit a two-run homer and Barry Zito (2-1) earned his first win since his opening start.

Jason Kubel went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles and drove in two runs for the Diamondbacks, who finished their homestand 1-5.

San Francisco had a season-high 14 hits, 10 of them against starter Joe Saunders (2-3).

Zito allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked three.

CUBS 8, BREWERS 2

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ian Stewart hit a solo homer and scored the go-ahead run on an error, helping Chicago beat Milwaukee to avoid a three-game sweep by their division rivals.

It was the fourth homer of the season for Stewart, hitless in his previous four games. Reed Johnson added a pinch-hit home run in the sixth for the Cubs.

Shawn Camp (1-1) earned the win. Kameron Loe (2-1) took the loss.

PIRATES 3, ASTROS 2, 12 INNINGS

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Harrison’s 12th-inning single drove in Clint Barmes and Pittsburgh came back to beat Houston on a rainy afternoon.

Harrison was 0 for 3 before lining the first pitch he saw from Fernando Rodriguez (1-4) into left. Barmes had just hit a two-out double and scored from second.

The Pirates prevented the Astros from winning a road series for the first time in 11 months.

Pittsburgh tied it in the ninth against closer Brett Myers, keeping Wandy Rodriguez from earning a victory despite eight dominant innings. It was Myers’ first blown save in 10 opportunities.

A.J. Burnett allowed two runs in eight innings for the Pirates. Tony Watson (3-0) pitched a perfect 12th to earn the win.

NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte made his much-anticipated return to the Yankees on Sunday, getting lavished with adoration while pitching into the seventh inning despite giving up a pair of two-run homers in New York’s 6-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Nearly lost amid the excitement over Pettitte’s first major league appearance since retiring after the 2010 season was party crasher Kevin Millwood’s performance for Seattle — helped by three double plays. The 37-year-old Millwood (1-4) gave up three hits in seven innings and got his 2,000th career strikeout as Seattle avoided a three-game sweep.

The Yankees tried to prevent their old pal Pettitte from taking the loss with a rally in the eighth against four Seattle relievers. Robinson Cano was walked with two outs by Charlie Furbush with the bases loaded to make it 4-2. Mark Teixeira, though, struck out to end the inning.

The lovefest for Pettitte (0-1) began when the lefty appeared with several players in videos welcoming fans to Yankee Stadium after batting practice. The cheers grew as he strolled out to the bullpen for warmups and fans rose for a standing ovation when the five-time World Series champion followed his teammates onto the field for the first inning.

RAYS 9, ORIOLES 8

BALTIMORE (AP) — Elliot Johnson and Ben Zobrist homered, Carlos Pena ended an extended slump with two doubles and two RBIs, and Tampa Bay held on to beat Baltimore.

James Shields earned his sixth win as the Rays snapped a three-game skid with their second win in eight games. Tampa Bay entered the series tied atop the AL East with Baltimore.

The Rays led 7-1 in the fourth inning and 9-6 in the eighth, but it was 9-8 when Fernando Rodney ended it with runners on second and third for his 10th save.

Shields (6-1) gave up six runs, four earned, and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Orioles starter Jake Arrieta (2-4) allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 3 2-3 innings.

TIGERS 3, ATHLETICS 1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Justin Verlander struck out eight in seven innings to win his fourth straight decision and Detroit beat ailing Oakland to salvage a series split.

Miguel Cabrera hit a pair of RBI singles and Austin Jackson drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to put Detroit ahead, helping Verlander (4-1) win his 13th straight road decision.

Seth Smith hit a solo homer for Oakland and Jarrod Parker (1-1) worked 5 2-3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and four walks.

Jose Valverde worked the ninth for his seventh save in nine chances.

Tigers slugger Prince Fielder went 0 for 5 to finish a 0-for-18 series.

RED SOX 12, INDIANS 1

BOSTON (AP) — Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered during a six-run seventh inning and drove in five runs to lead Boston past Cleveland.

Rookie Will Middlebrooks hit his fourth homer for the Red Sox, who have rebounded from a 1-8 skid with three straight wins.

Daniel Bard (3-4) survived some early control problems and held the Indians to one run despite walking four and allowing six hits over six innings.

Justin Masterson (1-3) also had control issues, falling behind 4-0 while facing all nine Boston batters in the first inning. He lasted six innings, allowing six runs on seven hits.

ROYALS 9, WHITE SOX 1

CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Francoeur hit his first homer of the season and pinch-hitter Johnny Giavotella had a two-run double to lead Kansas City over Chicago.

Alcides Escobar went 3 for 3 with two walks for Kansas City, which broke it open with six runs in the ninth inning. Francoeur also had an RBI single and made a nice play in right field.

Starter Danny Duffy recorded two outs before he trudged off the mound following a short discussion with manager Ned Yost and a trainer. Luis Mendoza (2-2) came in and pitched 5 2-3 innings, allowing one run and seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Phil Humber pitched four-hit ball into the seventh. Matt Thornton (1-3) took the loss.

TWINS 4, BLUE JAYS 3

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Scott Diamond pitched seven shutout innings, Brian Dozier hit his first career homer and Minnesota Twins held on to beat Toronto.

Ryan Doumit and Jamey Carroll added two hits apiece for the Twins, and Matt Capps pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in as many chances.

Yunel Escobar and Eric Thames knocked in runs for Toronto, which closed a 5-5 road trip.

Diamond (2-0) allowed five hits and struck out four without a walk.

Toronto starter Ricky Romero (4-1) allowed nine hits in 5 1-3 innings, walked five and did not strike out a batter for the first time in 101 career starts.