Braves pull out another 1-0 win over Rockies

A routine part of the game, something every pitcher from Little League to the big leagues does without even thinking. Throw the pitch, catch the ball when it's tossed back.

Jhoulys Chacin messed up that simple task, handing the host Atlanta Braves another unlikely win.

Led by seven scoreless innings from Tim Hudson (14-5), the NL wild-card leaders posted their second straight 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies Thursday, winning both times with an unearned run.

Juan Francisco used his legs to score the only run in the second. First, he dropped down a leadoff bunt. Dan Uggla followed with a ground-rule double. After a pitch to Brian McCann, Chacin (2-5) dropped a routine return throw from catcher Wilin Rosario, the ball bouncing off the side of his glove and winding up between the mound and second base. Francisco alertly spotted the miscue and took off for the plate, making it with a headfirst slide.

"It's inexcusable," Chacin said.

Nationals 9, Cubs 2: Adam LaRoche added to his home- run tear with a two-run shot and host Washington won a game marred by a benches-clearing scrum. The trouble started with a testy exchange between Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk and Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter in the fifth inning. Quirk shouted from the dugout toward third base and Porter walked over to the railing, jawing and pointing his finger. No punches were thrown.

Marlins 6, Brewers 2: Josh Johnson (8-11) pitched seven solid innings and Greg Dobbs drove in two runs for host Miami.

Rangers 5, Royals 4: Michael Young singled home Ian Kinsler, who had tripled, in the 10th to give Texas the road win.-- AP