Berkman rallies Astros
Lance Berkman is going to ride this hitting tear he's on as long as possible. Same goes for Houston manager Cecil Cooper, who continues to be amazed by his club's gutsy play.
Berkman splashed his major-league-leading 15th home run into McCovey Cove to break a ninth-inning tie, helping the Astros rally past San Francisco 8-7 for their 11th win in 13 games.
Houston already has come from behind to win 13 times this year.
"We'll take as many as we can get," Berkman said. "It seems like we're never out of it. That might be the best comeback I've seen since I've been here."
Houston rebounded from a 6-0 deficit to take three of four from the Giants, its first series win in San Francisco since a three-game sweep in September 2001.
"I don't know. It's just amazing," Cooper said. "I'm hanging along for the ride. They keep doing it. They don't quit."
Pirates 11, Cardinals 5: Jason Bay's first pinch-hit homer delivered the latest jolt of anguish to Jason Isringhausen. Bay's 3-run shot off St. Louis' struggling reliever, working the eighth inning instead of the ninth, was the go-ahead blow in visiting Pittsburgh's rally from an early 4-run deficit. It also brought manager Tony La Russa's fear to fruition -- you can't hide anyone for long in the bullpen.
"Right now, he's problem No. 1," La Russa said of Isringhausen. "He's beside himself, puzzled, the whole thing."
Dodgers 7, Brewers 2: Backup catcher Gary Bennett hit a 3-run homer, and Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent added solo shots during a 6-run seventh inning to lead Chad Billingsley and visiting Los Angeles over Milwaukee.
Nationals 1, Mets 0: Willie Harris helped put Washington ahead with a key sacrifice bunt, then saved the slick-fielding Nationals by making a sensational catch in the ninth inning of a victory over host New York.
Phillies 5, Braves 0: Cole Hamels (5-3) pitched his first career shutout, and Ryan Howard homered as host Philadelphia topped Atlanta. Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino each homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Phillies.
American league
Rays 5, Yankees 2: Scott Kazmir (2-1) shined in his first start since agreeing to a $28.5 million contract extension, and Akinori Iwamura and Shawn Riggans homered off Ian Kennedy to help host Tampa Bay top New York for the seventh time in eight games.
Royals 8, Tigers 4: Neither Detroit nor Kansas City saw this sweep coming. Jose Guillen homered and drove in 3 runs, Gil Meche (3-5) pitched 7 solid innings, and the host Royals completed another sweep of the Tigers.
Blue Jays 3, Twins 2: Dustin McGowan survived his wildness without much damage, the bullpen was spotless, and Joe Inglett picked up his first career pinch hit to send Toronto past host Minnesota.
Indians 4, Athletics 2: An unearned run against Aaron Laffey on his own throwing error halted the Cleveland starting rotation's run of 44½ consecutive shutout innings but didn't interrupt its string of dominant outings. Laffey (2-2) pitched the host Indians past Oakland, completing a three-game sweep and giving surging Cleveland eight victories in 10 games.