Ryan Howard collected four hits, including a key RBI triple in the seventh and a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth, to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves. After Philadelphia squandered leads of 3-0 and 4-3, Howard helped the club pull off an impressive comeback and move one-half game ahead of New York in the National League East. The Washington Nationals posted a 1-0 victory over the New York Mets, with the pitcher Odalis Perez in stunning form.
Alfonso Soriano homered and Ryan Dempster tossed six strong innings as the Chicago Cubs handed CC Sabathia his first National League setback with a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Derek Lowe allowed one run over seven innings to win his fourth start in a row and improved to 6-1 in his past seven decisions as the Los Angeles Dodgers won for the 14th time in 16 games with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dan Haren threw a four-hitter as the Arizona Diamondbacks muzzled the San Francisco Giants 2-0.
The rookie Chris Volstad tossed eight impressive innings as the Florida Marlins notched their sixth straight win with a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros. The Colorado Rockies rolled to a 10-3 triumph over the San Diego Padres. Edwin Encarnacion delivered a three-run double in the sixth inning that keyed the Cincinnati Reds' 7-2 victory over the St Louis Cardinals. * PA Sport
