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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 13, 2009

Dodgers clinch key series with Giants


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Los Angeles Dodgers' Russell Martin is greeted at the plate after hitting a three-run home run in a 9-1 victory.

TONY AVELAR | Associated Press

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SAN FRANCISCO — Russell Martin hit a three-run homer, Vicente Padilla pitched six strong innings and singled in a run and the Los Angeles Dodgers topped their win total from 2008 with a 9-1 victory over the sinking San Francisco Giants last night.

Padilla (3-0) struck out five and didn't allow an earned run. First-place Los Angeles took a three-game division lead over Colorado and the Rockies held their 5 1/2-game edge over the Giants in the NL wild-card race.

"If we win games, nothing can happen to us," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "That's the way I look at it."

James Loney added a two-run homer in the ninth as Los Angeles (85-58) clinched the weekend series with the Giants, and matched a season best by moving 27 games above .500 for the third time this year.

"We need to win games," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "This is the last thing we wanted to happen."

Reds 7, Cubs 5: Pinch-hitter Drew Sutton lined a two-out, two-run double off closer Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning, and Cincinnati beat host Chicago.

Marmol (2-3) walked two straight batters with two outs before Sutton lined a ball into the right-field corner to break the 5-5 tie.

Mets 10, Phillies 9: David Wright hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning off new Philadelphia closer Ryan Madson (5-5) to rally visiting New York.

Wright homered twice for the first time this season and matched a career high with six RBIs. The NL East-leading Mets scored five runs off the Phillies bullpen in the final two innings.

Braves 7, Cardinals 6: Brian McCann hit a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning and Atlanta held on to beat host St. Louis.

The Braves' two runs in the ninth came against reliever Ryan Franklin (2-3), who blew his second straight save opportunity.

Astros 4, Pirates 2: Miguel Tejada hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning, helping host Houston beat Pittsburgh.

Carlos Lee also connected for a two-run home run for Houston. The Astros have won 12 of 16 at home.

Brewers 9, Diamondbacks 2: Rookie Casey McGehee homered twice, drove in six runs, and went 4 for 5 as Milwaukee routed host Arizona.

Dave Bush (4-7) gave up one run in seven innings, and struck out a season-high 11 to win for the first time since May 19.

Marlins 11, Nationals 3: Jorge Cantu doubled, homered and drove in five runs, and Cody Ross also doubled and homered to power host Florida past Washington.

Gaby Sanchez added his first career home run for the Marlins.

Padres 3, Rockies 2, 10 innings: Pinch-hitter Nick Hundley drew a bases-loaded walk with one out in the 10th inning and host San Diego beat NL wild-card leader Colorado.

Colorado's Franklin Morales (3-1) allowed a hit and two walks to load the bases for Hundley.