National League Game Capsules

Chicago, IL —

Reed Johnson's bases-loaded triple in the seventh inning highlighted an offensive outburst the Cubs used to rout the Giants, 11-4, in the opener of a three-game series. Johnson finished 3-for-5 and drove in four runs overall for the Cubs, who had opened their nine-game homestand with series losses to the Reds and Cardinals. But they are in a good position to win this closing set after totaling 14 hits Friday. Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney set the tone at the top of Chicago's lineup, combining for six hits and five RBI. Ryan Dempster (2-4) got the win after limiting San Francisco to two runs in six innings, and struck out a season- high 11 batters. He also snapped a six-game home losing streak dating back to August 31 of last season. Madison Bumgarner (0-6) allowed only three runs in six innings, and took the loss after the Giants bullpen gave up eight runs in two innings. Final Score: Florida 6, Washington 5 (11 innings)

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Omar Infante somehow got his hand around a tag at the plate to score on Greg Dobbs' double in the 11th inning, and the run lifted Florida over Washington, 6-5, in the first of a three-game series. Edward Mujica (4-1) threw a scoreless 10th inning to get the win, Florida's third in five games, while Leo Nunez picked up his 13th save with a flawless 11th. Brian Broderick (0-1) took the loss for allowing the winning run in the 11th inning. The Nationals have dropped two in a row after a brief two-game win streak.

Final Score: Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 5 (10 innings)

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Joey Votto singled in Chris Heisey with the winning run in the 10th inning, boosting the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals to open a three-game series. Scott Rolen came off the disabled list and had three hits and an RBI for the Reds, who posted their seventh win in nine games. Edgar Renteria knocked in two runs for Cincinnati. Francisco Cordero (3-1) escaped a jam with two men on base in the top of the 10th, and the Reds got a lead-off double from Ramon Hernandez to start the bottom of the frame. Heisey then hit a bouncer to first base, and Hernandez was caught in a rundown before finally being tagged out at third. Heisey went to second, and then Drew Stubbs flied out. After Jason Motte (1-1) walked Renteria, Votto, the NL's reigning MVP, grounded a single to right field. Heisey scored easily as the throw home was late.

Final Score: Philadelphia 5, Atlanta 4

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer and scored the go-ahead run on Raul Ibanez's single in the eighth inning, as the Phillies snuck by the Braves, 5-4, in the opener of a three-game series. Shane Victorino had two hits and an RBI for the Phillies, winners in three of their last four. Phillies starter Cole Hamels was touched for four runs on eight hits, while Cristhian Martinez hurled four perfect innings of relief behind Atlanta's Brandon Beachy, who exited early with a left oblique strain. Martinez also had a two-run double but did not factor in the decision as a result of Cory Gearrin and Eric O'Flaherty (1-2) failing to hang on to a 4-3 lead. Antonio Bastardo (2-0) fanned Freeman after falling behind in the count 3-0 and was credited with the win when the Phillies took the lead in the eighth.

Final Score: New York 6, Houston 4

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Fernando Martinez and David Wright clubbed two- run homers in the eighth inning as the New York Mets rallied for a 6-4 win over the Houston Astros. Jason Bay also went deep for the Mets, who scored all their runs from the seventh inning on to win for the sixth time in eight tries. The Astros, who had a pair of runners thrown out at the plate, suffered their seventh loss in nine contests. Mets starter Dillon Gee fanned a career- high six batters in five-plus innings, while Houston's Bud Norris struck out eight over 7 1/3 innings. Bay homered to left with two outs in the seventh, and the Mets used more power to grab the lead the following inning. Justin Turner singled to lead off. Martinez, hitting for reliever Pat Misch (1-0), then homered to right field.

Final Score: Milwaukee 5, Pittsburgh 2

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Ryan Braun had three RBI to help lead Milwaukee over Pittsburgh, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game series. Yovani Gallardo (4-2) earned the win in six innings where he allowed two runs on five hits and three walks. He also struck out five and added an RBI to give the Brewers their fourth win in six games. James McDonald (2-3) took the loss in just four innings of work for Pittsburgh. He allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while fanning seven in the Pirates' third straight loss.

Final Score: Colorado 12, San Diego 7

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Troy Tulowitzki homered among his three hits and drove in three runs in Colorado's 12-7 victory over the San Diego Padres. Jorge De La Rosa (5-1) managed to snag the win despite giving up nine hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Rockies, who scored five times over the first two innings before adding three insurance runs in the eighth, snapped a two- game skid and won for just the second time in eight games. Cameron Maybin had a 4-for-4 night with a pair of homers and three RBI for the Padres. Dustin Moseley (1-5) allowed nine hits and six runs in four innings to suffer the loss.

Final Score: Los Angeles 4, Arizona 3

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Matt Kemp had two hits and an RBI to help lift Los Angeles over Arizona, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series. Andre Ethier had a run-scoring single and Rod Barajas added a home run to give the Dodgers their third straight victory. Clayton Kershaw (5-3) pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking two while striking out 11. He retired 14 batters in a row after walking Xavier Nady with one out in the third inning. Joe Saunders (0-5) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and four walks in the D-Backs' fifth consecutive one-run defeat