MIAMI — The game brought to mind a Saturday beer league, with plenty of swinging from the heels by both the Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies. Despite a four-run margin, the outcome was in doubt until the final pitch.

The Marlins had a little more pop, hitting three homers to win 9-5 and tighten the race in the NL East.

"It does resemble a softball game a little bit," said Cody Ross, who came within a homer of the cycle. "We've got some guys going up there taking healthy hacks, and the Phillies are the same way. The game is never over."

Trailing by four runs, Philadelphia loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Kevin Gregg. Ryan Howard, who leads the majors with 29 home runs, then struck out on three pitches. Pat Burrell, who homered twice earlier, grounded out to end the game.

"I was trying to get everybody on the edge of their seats," Gregg said with a smile. "What counts is we shook hands afterward."

The game was filled with misadventures. Three runners were thrown out at the plate, two catchable balls dropped in right field, and Marlins third baseman Jorge Cantu committed two errors on one grounder.

But mostly it came down to the long ball, and even against high-scoring Philadelphia, the Marlins can hold their own. Florida leads the majors with 138 homers, and the Phillies are second with 136.

"If they want to mash, we can mash," Ross said.

Dan Uggla hit a two-run homer for Florida, his 24th, and Jeremy Hermida hit his 11th. The Marlins even got a homer from rookie backup catcher John Baker, who drove in four runs and has six RBIs since being recalled from the minors July 8.

"This lineup is really strong," Baker said. "It's a fun lineup to hit in. I'm just trying to chip in where I can."

The Marlins remained third in the NL East but are only 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia, which holds a one-game lead over the New York Mets.

Burrell hit two solo homers for Philadelphia, giving him 25 this year. He has 243 career homers, which ties him with Chuck Klein for third on the Phillies' all-time list.

But after the game, Burrell was focused on making the final out.

"I'm still bummed about that last at-bat," he said. "We had a chance to win there. That's the part that hurts. It stings."

The Marlins' homers came off Kyle Kendrick (8-4), who allowed 10 hits and seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.

REDS 7, METS 2

CINCINNATI — Right-hander Josh Fogg (2-2) gave up two runs and eight hits over six innings and induced three double plays, and Joey Votto had a run-scoring single to tie the game at 2 in fourth, then broke the game open with a two-run triple in a four-run seventh to lead Cincinnati over New York. After winning 10 in a row and moving into a first-place tie with Philadelphia in the NL East, the Mets have dropped two in a row.

D-BACKS 3, DODGERS 2

PHOENIX — Dan Haren (9-5) scattered four hits and struck out seven in seven scoreless innings and Conor Jackson homered as Arizona beat Los Angeles. Chad Tracy and Stephen Drew also drove in runs for the Diamondbacks, who snapped a two-game losing skid and moved one game in front of the Dodgers in the NL West.

BREWERS 8, GIANTS 5

SAN FRANCISCO — Rickie Weeks hit a two-run double to cap a four-run sixth inning, Prince Fielder homered and Ryan Braun missed hitting for the cycle by a home run as Milwaukee, which has homered in 15 consecutive games, rallied to beat San Francisco for its third straight victory.

NATIONALS 8, BRAVES 2

ATLANTA — Willie Harris, a part-time starter for Atlanta last season, had three hits, two RBIs, a stolen base and scored three runs to lead Washington. Ryan Langerhans, another former Braves outfielder, was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two runs scored.

CARDINALS 6, PADRES 5

ST. LOUIS — Todd Wellemeyer (8-4) allowed one hit in his last 4 1/3 innings after surrendering five runs on four hits in the first two frames and Albert Pujols had three hits and four RBIs, helping St. Louis overcome a five-run deficit for its fourth straight win. Ryan Franklin worked the last two innings for his 14th save in 18 chances.

ASTROS 4, CUBS 1

HOUSTON — Wandy Rodriguez (5-3) allowed nine hits, including a solo homer to opposing starter Carlos Zambrano (10-4), and Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada drove in runs to lead Houston past Chicago for its fourth straight victory. Chicago stranded seven runners and dropped its third straight game.

ROCKIES 7, PIRATES 1

DENVER — Scott Podsednik had three doubles among his four hits and two runs scored, and Jorge De La Rosa (4-5) gave up a run and four hits in the first, then scattered four hits over his last five innings as Colorado won its third in a row.