DENVER — Clint Barmes had the wind knocked out of him and a big welt on his forehead.

A small price to pay for a game-saving catch in the middle of a tight playoff race.

Colorado's second baseman made a diving grab in shallow right field to start a game-ending double play, preserving a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday that kept the Rockies 2 1/2 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the NL wild-card race.

"There's been pitches of the year, innings of the year — that's the defensive play of the year," Colorado manager Jim Tracy said.

With runners on first and third, Barmes sprinted into the outfield on Ryan Ludwick's flair. He dived headfirst for the ball, snaring it and firing to first base to double up Albert Pujols, who ran on contact.

Barmes was mobbed in the outfield, a moment he'll treasure.

"Unbelievable feeling," he said. "That was my contribution today. I didn't do much offensively (0 for 4)."

BRAVES 6, NATIONALS 3:

Atlanta scored three in the top of the 10th, keeping up its late-season surge and completing a three-game sweep of host Washington. Brian McCann drove in a run with a groundout, and pinch-hitter Omar Infante followed with a two-run single as the Braves ran their winning streak to six.

PIRATES 6, DODGERS 5:

Right fielder Andre Ethier misplayed Lastings Milledge's two-run single for an error that allowed the winning run to score, and host Pittsburgh rallied for four in the ninth to prevent Los Angeles from clinching the NL West title. Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton (7-2) recorded just one out in the ninth, yielding four runs and four hits.

PHILLIES 6, BREWERS 5:

Jimmy Rollins hit his 21st homer, Ryan Howard tied Prince Fielder for the major league RBI lead and visiting Philadelphia beat Milwaukee. Howard went 2 for 5 with an RBI, giving him 137 on the year.

ASTROS 3, REDS 2:

Wandy Rodriguez pitched six solid innings, Humberto Quintero homered and host Houston beat Cincinnati. Rodriguez (14-11) allowed two runs and nine hits. He walked one and struck out nine.

GIANTS 5, CUBS 1:

Matt Cain pitched eight scoreless innings and Eli Whiteside had a pair of RBI doubles for host San Francisco. Cain (14-7) gave up three hits, struck out eight and walked two.

METS 4, MARLINS 0:

Pat Misch pitched an eight-hitter for the first complete game of his career, and New York spoiled Florida's home finale. Misch (2-4) walked three, struck out two and retired his last 13 batters.

DIAMONDBACKS 7, PA-DRES 4:

Augie Ojeda had three hits and drove in three runs to lead host Arizona to victory. Arizona's Chad Tracy hit his second home run in two games.