Ryan Howard belted a two-run homer in the first inning and added an RBI double in the fourth as the Phillies knocked off the Brewers 6-3. Howard’s home run was his major-league-best 43rd.
Roy Oswalt threw a three-hit shutout and added a two-run single as the Astros defeated the Pirates 6-0. Oswalt hasn’t allowed a run in 32 1/3 innings, passing the old team record of 31 set by J.R. Richard in 1980.
The Orioles’ bullpen contained the Indians in a 6-3 victory. Lance Cormier pitched three innings of one-hit relief to earn the win and rookie Jim Miller worked the ninth for his first major-league save.
THREE DOWN
All-Star outfielder Grady Sizemore went 0-for-4 with a walk and stranded three runners on base as the Indians fell to the Orioles 6-3. Sizemore is now hitless in his last 23 at-bats, spanning six games.
The Rockies hoped they could replicate their success from last September and sneak into postseason, but after an 8-4 loss to the Braves, things look grim. Colorado has lost five straight to fall 8 1/2 games behind the Dodgers.
Brewers outfielder Gabe Kapler has a torn muscle in his right shoulder and could miss the rest of the season. Kapler will undergo physical therapy in an effort to determine whether he can return this year.
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
