Ryan Howard went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, including his 42nd homer, to lead the Phillies to their eighth win in nine games, a 6-3 victory over the Nationals. Howard had four of the Phillies’ 10 hits as he helped keep Philadelphia on the Mets’ heels in the NL East.
Josh Beckett earned his 20th victory as the Red Sox defeated the Devil Rays 8-1. Beckett, the first major-leaguer to 20 wins this season, struck out eight while scattering four hits over six innings as Boston now has a 2 1/2 -game lead over the Yankees in the AL East.
Fausto Carmona picked up his 18th victory in the Indians’ 4-3 win over the Athletics to lower Cleveland’s magic number to clinch the AL Central to 2. Carmona has won his last four starts, allowing a total of four earned runs during the streak for a 1.27 ERA.
THREE DOWN
The Braves’ Tim Hudson was working on a five-hit shutout when the Brewers rallied with two outs in the eighth. Four straight men reached, including Corey Hart’s game-tying single. Ron Mahay walked in the go-ahead run after Hudson left, leading to the Brewers’ 4-1 win.
Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran left Friday’s game at Florida in the fifth inning after bruising the patellar tendon in his left knee when he fell chasing a double by Jeremy Hermida. Beltran walked off the field with a slight limp and was replaced by Endy Chavez.
With their 6-3 loss to the Astros, the defending World Series champion Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention. It was St. Louis’ 14th loss in 16 games. The Cards were only one game out of first place at 69-68 before the slide.
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Compiled by Mike Pankow
