Feliz slam moves Phils closer to NL East title

By The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pedro Feliz hit a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies moved closer toward third straight NL East title with a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

The defending World Series champions reduced their magic number for winning the division to one after Atlanta lost.

J.A. Happ (12-4) allowed four runs - three earned - and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings, striking out six.

Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer and Philadelphia's injury-plagued bullpen tossed 3 1-3 scoreless innings. Jamie Moyer got four outs and Ryan Madson pitched the last two innings for his 10th save in 16 chances.

Wilton Lopez (0-1) allowed five runs and six hits in 3 2-3 innings in his first career start.

Marlins 5, Braves 4

ATLANTA (AP) - Jorge Cantu hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh and the Florida Marlins damaged Atlanta's playoff hopes and snapped the Braves' seven-game winning streak.

The Marlins were officially eliminated from playoff contention when the Colorado Rockies won later Tuesday night.

Cameron Maybin's two-run homer gave the Marlins a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning but Matt Diaz hit a tying three-run drive in the sixth for the Braves.

Florida went ahead for good in the seventh. Chris Coghlan led off with a double and advanced on Maybin's sacrifice. Hanley Ramirez was intentionally walked before Cantu's hit off Kenshin Kawakami (7-12) gave the Marlins the lead.

Renyel Pinto (4-1) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings to earn his first win since June 30, a span of 40 appearances. Brendan Donnelly pitched a scoreless eighth and Leo Nunez closed it out for his 25th save in 32 chances.

Reds 7, Cardinals 2

CINCINNATI (AP) - Jay Bruce homered twice and had a career-high five RBIs.

The Cardinals, who wrapped up the NL Central title with a 6-3 win at Colorado on Saturday, have lost four of five. Joel Pineiro (15-12) allowed seven runs and eight hits in six innings to fall to 1-3 in his last four starts.

Albert Pujols, who entered with NL record-tying five grand slams this season, just missed another one when he hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth that center fielder Willy Taveras caught just short of the track.

David Freese hit his first career homer for St. Louis in the ninth.

Homer Bailey (7-5) pitched seven solid innings and Joey Votto also connected for the Reds, who have won seven of eight. Bailey is 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA in his last eight starts.

Nationals 4, Mets 3

WASHINGTON (AP) - Pinch-runner Justin Maxwell scored the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning thanks to two wild throws.

With the score tied at 3, Mike Morse walked with one out against Nick Green (1-4) and Maxwell ran for him. Cristian Guzman grounded to short, but former Nationals infielder Anderson Hernandez's throw to second was off target, allowing Guzman to reach.

Ian Desmond, who had earlier hit a two-run homer, grounded to short. Hernandez threw to second baseman Luis Castillo to force Guzman, but Castillo's relay to first landed in Washington's dugout and Maxwell scored.

Tyler Clippard (3-2) pitched two scoreless innings and worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Mike MacDougal picked up his 18th save with a scoreless ninth thanks to Elijah Dukes' spectacular catch to end the game.