Wainwright, Molina propel Cardinals
Adam Wainwright gave up 2 hits in 7 scoreless innings, and Yadier Molina put on a rare power display with 2 homers as the St. Louis Cardinals completed a crucial three-game sweep of the host Milwaukee Brewers with an 8-0 victory on Thursday.
It was the first career multihomer game for Molina, who came into Thursday's game with only 1 home run this season. He drove in all 3 of the Cardinals' runs through the first eight innings as third-place St. Louis closed to within 2½ games of the NL Central division lead for the first time since April 20.
The Brewers, who have lost 13 of 18, were swept at home for the first time since Florida took three games at Miller Park last September. The Cardinals outscored the Brewers 28-7 in the series.
Wainwright (11-9), in his first year as a starter after starring as a reliever during the Cardinals' World Series run last year, struck out a career-high eight while walking three.
With two outs in the second inning, Molina drove a 2-2 pitch from Brewers starter Dave Bush (9-9) into the second deck in left field, putting the Cardinals ahead 1-0.
The Cardinals added 5 runs in the ninth on David Eckstein's 3-run double, an RBI single by Albert Pujols, and an error by outfielder Geoff Jenkins.
Giants 9, Braves 3: Visiting San Francisco homered in each of the first four innings off Chuck James and went on to beat host Atlanta to avert a sweep in their three-game series.
Pirates 10, Mets 7: Two costly New York errors, and Adam LaRoche's third hit of the game capped host Pittsburgh's comeback from a 5-run deficit as the Pirates avoided being swept at home by New York for the first time since 2001.
Phillies 4, Nationals 2: Cole Hamels (14-5) pitched 6¿ shutout innings for his 14th victory, tying for the NL lead in wins, and Philadelphia won its third straight series by beating host Washington.
Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 4: Livan Hernandez shook off a rough start to pitch 7 innings, and visiting Arizona edged Florida to win for the 19th time in 24 games.
American League
Tigers 8, Yankees 5: Carlos Guillen hit a first-inning grand slam off Mike Mussina, and Ivan Rodriguez also homered to help visiting Detroit past New York.
Angels 4, Blue Jays 3: Kelvim Escobar shut down his former team, Gary Matthews Jr. homered and visiting Los Angeles held on to beat Toronto.
Royals 6, Rangers 2: Mark Teahen drove in the tiebreaking run on an eighth-inning fielder's choice, and John Buck added a 3-run double as Kansas City beat host Texas, snapping the Rangers' three-game winning streak.