NL Roundup: Santana throws gem at Citi Field

NEW YORK (AP) " Johan Santana looked perfectly at home in a ballpark built with him in mind.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner breezed through seven innings in his first start at Citi Field, and the New York Mets took advantage of a key error to scratch out the only run they needed in a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

A hard-luck loser so often his first season-plus in New York, Santana (2-1) allowed five hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk. He never allowed a Brewers baserunner past first.

Yovani Gallardo was just as good for Milwaukee, cruising through six scoreless innings before giving way to reliever Carlos Villanueva (1-2), who gave up an RBI fielder's choice to Jose Reyes.

Turning it over to their suddenly stout bullpen, J.J. Putz set the Brewers down in order in the eighth, and new closer Francisco Rodriguez worked around a leadoff single to Ryan Braun for his third save of the season.

Padres 8, Phillies 5

PHILADELPHIA (AP) " Brad Lidge blew his first save in 54 opportunities, allowing four runs, including a three-run homer to Kevin Kouzmanoff, and San Diego beat Philadelphia.

Lidge (0-1) was a perfect 48-for-48, including the playoffs, in save chances last year in his first season with the Phillies. He hadn't blown a save opportunity since Sept. 23, 2007, when he was with the Astros.

Lidge entered in the ninth to protect a one-run. But Jody Gerut led off with a double and scored to tie it on Brian Giles' grounder to first base.

With two outs, Lidge walked Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley before Kouzmanoff took one out to left field.

Heath Bell earned his league-leading seventh save for the surprising Padres, off to a 9-3 start. Cla Meredith (3-0) got the last two outs in the eighth for the victory.

Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez homered for the Phillies.

Marlins 9, Nationals 6, 11 innings

WASHINGTON (AP) " Jeremy Hermida hit a three-run homer in the 11th inning after tying it with a two-run shot in the ninth, and Florida beat the Nationals for their sixth straight win.

Hermida, whose two-run homer tied it at 6 with two outs in the ninth, hit a 1-2 pitch from Wil Ledezma into the right-center field stands for the lead.

Kiko Calero (1-0), Florida's fifth pitcher, worked 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win.

Ross Gload led off the 11th with a walk off Julian Tavarez (0-1). Ledezma relieved after Wes Helms reached on an error.

Pirates 10, Braves 0

PITTSBURGH (AP) " Craig Monroe hit a pair of three-run homers and Ian Snell allowed four hits in seven-plus innings, lifting the Pirates to their second consecutive shutout of the Braves.

Monroe homered off Atlanta starter Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1) with two outs in the sixth inning and off reliever Buddy Carlyle with two outs in the seventh.

Snell (1-2) walked three, struck out three and benefited from three double plays. The right-hander was replaced by Sean Burnett after walking Martin Prado to lead off the eighth.

Jesse Chavez worked a perfect ninth to complete the four-hitter.

Dodgers 9, Rockies 5

LOS ANGELES (AP) " Manny Ramirez hit his first two home runs of the season " and dropped a flyball for his first error " and Andre Ethier also homered twice as the Dodgers extended their winning streak to seven games.

Ethier drove in four runs while batting second for the first time this season.

Chad Billingsley (3-0) allowed three runs and four hits over six innings with six strikeouts and three walks.

Aaron Cook (0-1) gave up five runs and eight hits over four innings, allowing three home runs.

Cubs 7, Cardinals 5, 11 innings

CHICAGO (AP) " Aramis Ramirez hit a game-winning two-run homer in the 11th inning and Derrek Lee hit a two-run double to lead in a win for the Cubs.

Dennys Reyes (0-1) walked leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano in the 11th inning, then Kosuke Fukudome bunted into a fielder's choice.

With two outs, Ramirez hit a 1-0 pitch from Reyes into the left-center bleachers to win it with his third homer of the season.

Khalil Green homered for the Cardinals, who have dropped the last two games after winning the opener of a four-game series against the Cubs.

Angel Guzman (1-0) pitched a scoreless 11th inning for his first career victory.

Astros 7, Reds 0

HOUSTON (AP) " Wandy Rodriguez struck out 10 in seven innings and Geoff Blum drove in three runs for Houston.

Rodriguez (1-1) allowed only two hits and matched a career high for strikeouts.

Chris Sampson and Jeff Fulchino each pitched a hitless inning to complete the combined two-hitter and Houston's first shutout of the season.

Reds starter Aaron Harang (1-2) went six innings and allowed five runs on 10 hits. He struck out six and walked one.