Joe Blanton gets his first win with Dodgers

Hoping to come together in time for a big finish to the season, the revamped Los Angeles Dodgers relied on holdovers and newcomers alike to get back on a winning track.

Joe Blanton (9-12) allowed three runs in 71/3 innings for his first win with the Dodgers and A.J. Ellis hit his first career grand slam in Los Angeles' 10-8 win over the Colorado Rockies yesterday at Coors Field.

Hanley Ramirez, another mid-season acquisition by the Dodgers, also homered in his second straight game to help the Dodgers overcome the absence of slugging centerfielder Matt Kemp and withstand a late rally by Colorado, which scored seven runs in the eighth inning.

With his status characterized as day to day, Kemp sat out because of a bone bruise on his left knee and sore jaw suffered in a collision with the centerfield wall the night before while trying to chase down a fly ball.

Nationals 8, Marlins 4: Bryce Harper homered twice for the first time in his career and visiting Washington snapped a five-game losing streak

Giants 6, Astros 4: Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer for the visiting Giants.

Padres 8, Braves 2: Chase Headley hit a two-run single and lefthander Eric Stults (4-2) won his fourth straight decision for host San Diego.

Pirates 5, Cardinals 0: Pedro Alvarez hit his 26th home run and had three RBIs as host Pittsburgh moved within one game of the NL's second wild-card spot.

Reds 6, Diamondbacks 2: Chris Heisey hit two of Cincinnati's four home runs, including the tying two-run shot in the seventh, as the Reds swept the three-game series.

White Sox 8, Orioles 1: Dylan Axelrod took a three-hitter into the eighth as visiting Chicago snapped a five-game road losing streak and spoiled the Baltimore debut of Joe Saunders.

Rays 8, Rangers 4: Evan Longoria homered twice as visiting Tampa Bay roughed up Matt Harrison and snapped a four-game losing streak.

Angels 10, Red Sox 3: Kendrys Morales and Chris Iannetta hit two-run homers and C.J. Wilson (10-9) snapped his 11-start winless streak for the host Angels.

Athletics 8, Indians 4: Visiting Oakland took over the AL wild-card lead by one game over Baltimore with its 11th win in 13 games.

Royals 1, Tigers 0: Bruce Chen (10-10) allowed four hits over a season-high eight innings for host Kansas City.

-- AP