Reds beat Giants 12-11 in 12 innings

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The Cincinnati Reds blew a nine-run lead before regrouping to pull off an extraordinary 12-11 win over the San Francisco Giants in Wednesday's clash of two National League playoff contenders.

The NL Central-leading Reds took a 10-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth before San Francisco stormed back with a six-run burst in the eighth to take an 11-10 lead.

A throwing error by Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval in the ninth set up Paul Janish's tying single and sent the game into extra innings.

Cincinnati's Joey Votto had four hits and four RBIs, including the tiebreaking single in the top of the 12th, which came with two outs.
Rockies 12, Braves 10

In Denver, Colorado overcame a nine-run deficit, matching the biggest rally in team history to stun Atlanta.

Down 10-1 in the third inning, the Rockies chipped away against the NL East leader before taking the lead with four runs in the eighth.

Carlos Gonzalez hit a tying, two-run single with two outs, and Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton followed with RBI singles.

Colorado also came back from nine runs down to beat Florida 18-17 in 2008. The NL record for the biggest comeback is 11 runs.
Astros 3, Phillies 2

In Philadelphia, J.A. Happ pitched effectively into the seventh inning against his former team to steer Houston past Philadelphia.

Happ (4-2) allowed two runs in 6 1-3 innings, becoming the second former Phillies pitcher to beat them in this series. Brett Myers did it Monday.

The Phillies remained 2½ games behind NL East-leading Atlanta after losing three straight to the going-nowhere Astros. They've missed an opportunity to gain ground on the Braves, who've lost three in a row to Colorado.

Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay (16-9) gave up three runs in seven innings, snapping his six-game winning streak.
Marlins 5, Mets 4

In New York, Hanley Ramirez, back in the No. 3 spot, had four hits to power Florida to a tight win over New York.

Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia (3-1) won his second consecutive start since he was recalled from the minors.

With the bases loaded in the ninth inning, Marlins closer Leo Nunez retired Jose Reyes on a game-ending groundout.
Padres 9, Diamondbacks 3

In San Diego, Adrian Gonzalez hit a three-run homer and Miguel Tejada had a two-run shot as San Diego beat Arizona to take a season-high 6½-game lead atop the NL West.

David Eckstein had three hits and three runs, and Tejada also scored three runs to help San Diego improve to an NL-best 76-49.

Arizona's Stephen Drew went 4 for 4 with two solo homers for his first career multihomer game, with his second ending the night for Padres pitcher Wade LeBlanc (8-11).

Arizona's Joe Saunders (1-4) took the loss.
Dodgers 5, Brewers 4

In Milwaukee, Manny Ramirez doubled twice and drove in his first run since reports he's been put up for trade, rallying Los Angeles over Milwaukee.

If Ramirez was auditioning for a new club such as the Chicago White Sox, who are rumored to have interest, it certainly was a success.

The 38-year-old Ramirez also walked twice, scored a run and was thrown out at the plate in a bizarre play in the third inning.

L.A. starter Hiroki Kuroda (9-11) went seven solid innings and Octavio Dotel earned his 22nd save.

Randy Wolf (10-10) took the loss.
Pirates 5, Cardinals 2

In Pittsburgh, Daniel McCutchen pitched six shutout innings for his third victory as a major league starter, steering Pittsburgh past St. Louis.

Dropping their fourth consecutive series against a losing-record team, the Cardinals fell 3½ games behind Cincinnati in the NL Central. St. Louis also remained a game behind wild-card leader Philadelphia.

Neil Walker tripled with the bases loaded and also drove in three runs for the Pirates, who are pace to lose more than 100 games.
Cubs 4, Nationals 0

In Washington, Starlin Castro hit a run-scoring double in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie and Chicago went on to beat Washington.

Aramis Ramirez added a two-run homer to give the Cubs some comfort. Chicago improved to 3-0 under interim manager Mike Quade, who took over from Lou Piniella.

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster (12-8) threw seven scoreless innings, striking out eight.

Washington starter Jason Marquis (0-7) remained winless this season despite his best pitching performance of the year. He gave up one run in 7 1-3 innings.