Tommy Hanson struck out a career-high 14 in seven innings, Brian McCann and Dan Uggla hit two-run homers and the Braves beat the Astros 4-1 yesterday in Houston for their sixth straight win.
Hanson (8-4) gave up one run and three hits while improving to 3-0 in five career starts against the Astros. The 24-year-old righty struck out five in a row early in the game and fanned the last three batters he faced.
Hanson’s strikeouts were the most by a Braves pitcher since John Smoltz had 15 in 2005 against the Mets. Hanson is tied with Houston’s Bud Norris for the most strikeouts in a game at Minute Maid Park.
Phillies 4, Cubs 3
In Philadelphia, Ryan Howard went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs, and Roy Oswalt recovered from a rocky first to pitch seven solid innings and lead the Phillies to a comeback victory over the Cubs.
Howard’s two-run single in the seventh put the Phillies ahead for the first time and helped Philadelphia to its fifth win in seven games.
Dodgers 10, Rockies 8
In Denver, James Loney hit his second career grand slam and hard-throwing rookie Rubby De La Rosa pitched five effective innings before exiting with a forearm cramp, helping the Dodgers hold off the Rockies.
Matt Kemp hit his NL-leading 20th homer and Rod Barajas added another as the Dodgers concluded their 10-game road swing with a 5-5 mark.
Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 1
In Miami, Daniel Hudson allowed one run in six-plus innings, Stephen Drew had three hits and two RBIs, and the Diamondbacks beat the struggling Marlins.
Drew hit a two-run double in the first inning and Ryan Roberts homered for the second consecutive game for the Diamondbacks, who have taken two of the first three of a four-game series that wraps up today.
Brewers 4, Cardinals 3
In Milwaukee, Prince Fielder’s go-ahead homer in the sixth rallied the Brewers as they knocked St. Louis out of first place in the NL Central.
Fielder’s 19th home run chased Jake Westbrook (6-4), who carried a shutout into the sixth.
Nationals 2, Padres 0
In San Diego, Danny Espinosa hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth inning in the Nationals’ win over the Padres.
Giants 4, Reds 2
In San Francisco, Aubrey Huff had three hits and two RBIs, Jonathan Sanchez pitched six wildly effective innings and the Giants rallied from two runs down to beat the Reds.
