Chipper Jones smacked his 400th career home run in the sixth inning and finished with four hits in the Braves’ 7-5 victory over the Marlins, raising his major league-best average to .418.
Elijah Dukes hit a two-run homer off Ryan Franklin in the bottom of the 10th as the Nationals beat the Cardinals 10-9, salvaging a doubleheader split. Dukes, who also tripled, was 4-for-6 with four RBIs.
Cole Hamels pitched a three-hitter for his second career shutout in the Phillies’ 5-0 win over the Reds. Mixing a sharp fastball with his deceptive changeup, he kept hitters off balance all day.
THREE DOWN
Reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins was yanked by Charlie Manuel after failing to run hard on a dropped popup in the third. “He’s the manager and that’s what he had to do,” Rollins said. “I can’t be mad at him.”
Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan blew his second straight save chance in a 9-8 loss to the Yankees. With two outs in the ninth, he gave up three hits, the last being Jason Giambi’s two-run homer on an 0-2 pitch.
The Astros lost for the seventh time in eight games as their offense continued to struggle in a 4-3 loss to the Pirates. Houston, which has dropped to fourth place, hasn’t scored more than three runs during the stretch.
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
