LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre witnessed a lot during memorable stretch runs managing the New York Yankees. The Dodgers are providing him with some fresh memories.

"It was a heckuva night," a smiling Torre said after Los Angeles began its crucial three-game set against Arizona with a 7-0 romp last night. "Our guys are playing with intensity. It's a lot of fun right now."

A week ago, the Dodgers had lost eight in a row and were 4 1/2 games back of the NL West-leading Diamondbacks. Suddenly, they've surged and Arizona has sagged.

Andre Ethier went 5 for 5 and drove in a career-high five runs, and Derek Lowe held Arizona to two hits over eight innings. The Dodgers earned their sixth straight victory and sent the Diamondbacks to their eighth loss in their last 11.

"He (Ethier) was locked in," Torre said. "So was Derek Lowe."

For the second time in three games, Ethier came close to hitting for the cycle. After he homered, singled and hit a ground-rule double in his first three at-bats, he doubled to left-center in the sixth. When center fielder Chris Young bobbled the ball, Ethier started for third, changed his mind, and was tagged out in a rundown.

Ethier hit his 20th homer in the first off Dan Haren (14-8), a two-run single in the second and RBI doubles in the fourth and sixth as Los Angeles opened a 6-0 lead. His fifth hit was an eighth-inning single.

Lowe (12-11) struck out four and walked two.

PHILLES 3, METS 0

Brett Myers pitched eight dominant innings as visiting Philadelphia cut its NL East deficit to two games. Myers (9-10) allowed three hits and struck out 10. Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer off Mike Pelfrey (13-9), and the Phillies took the opener of a crucial three-game series between the top teams in the division.

ROCKIES 5, ASTROS 3

Clint Barmes homered, Ubaldo Jimenez won for just the second time in a month and host Colorado ended Houston's eight-game winning streak. Jimenez (10-12) allowed three runs and five hits, struck out six and walked one in six-plus innings.

MARLINS 4, CARDINALS 1

Dan Uggla singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning and visiting Florida beat St. Louis. Cody Ross added an RBI single off Jason Motte and Uggla scored when right fielder Felipe Lopez bobbled the transfer before he could make a throw.

REDS 10, CUBS 2

Jay Bruce hit his first career grand slam and Joey Votto added a two-run homer for host Cincinnati. Right-hander Bronson Arroyo (14-10) won his fourth straight start, allowing one run in 6 1/3 innings.

BREWERS 3, PADRES 2

CC Sabathia pitched seven strong innings, but host Milwaukee needed an RBI single from J.J. Hardy in the 11th to beat San Diego. Mike Rivera led off with a single off. Craig Counsell reached on a fielder's choice and moved to third on Ray Durham's single. Hardy then singled to left to drive in Counsell.

BRAVES 10, NATIONALS 5

Rookie Brandon Jones' three-run double capped a seven-run third inning, and Kelly Johnson had three hits and two RBIs for host Atlanta. Rookie Jair Jurrjens (12-9) allowed six hits, one run and three walks in five innings.

PIRATES 7, GIANTS 0

Zach Duke pitched a six-hitter to snap a career-worst nine-game skid and visiting Pittsburgh beat San Francisco. Duke (5-13) struck out four and walked two in his third career complete game.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

MARINERS 3, YANKEES 1

Brandon Morrow's bid to become only the second pitcher in modern history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start ended when pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit doubled with two outs in the eighth inning, as host Seattle beat New York. Morrow (2-2), who made 100 appearances as a reliever, left after Betemit's hit on his 106th pitch.

INDIANS 9, ROYALS 3

Victor Martinez reached base four times in his return to catching, helping visiting Cleveland earn its 10th straight road win. Kansas City rookie Kila Ka'aihue, an 'Iolani School alum, collected his first major league hit — a single to right in the seventh. He came around to score.

RED SOX 8, RANGERS 1

Josh Beckett struck out seven over five scoreless innings in his first start in nearly three weeks, and Mike Lowell batted 3 for 5 with a homer and four RBIs for visiting Boston. Beckett (12-9) hadn't pitched since Aug. 17 because of an inflamed elbow.

WHITE SOX 10, ANGELS 2

Juan Uribe homered twice, Paul Konerko added a solo shot and Mark Buehrle pitched six shutout innings for host Chicago. Buehrle (12-11) allowed only three hits to win for the fourth time in his last five decisions.

BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4

Roy Halladay pitched seven solid innings to win his fifth straight start, Alex Rios hit two homers and host Toronto extended its season-high winning streak to six. Halladay (18-9) allowed one earned run and seven hits. He struck out seven and walked none.

ATHLETICS 11, ORIOLES 2

Rajai Davis' grand slam was the only Oakland hit in an eight-run eighth inning, and visiting the Athletics topped the six-run barrier for the first time in 41 games. Oakland's Dallas Braden (5-3) allowed four hits and two runs in five innings.

TWINS 10, TIGERS 2

Justin Morneau hit a grand slam and Francisco Liriano threw seven-plus innings for host Minnesota. Liriano (5-3) had a season-high nine strikeouts, and allowed two runs and five hits.