Diamondbacks win as Reds lose Joey Votto for three to four weeks
Miguel Montero drove in four runs with a bases-loaded double and a solo homer last night, leading the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-3 victory shortly after the Cincinnati Reds learned they'll have to try to hold on to first place in the NL Central without Joey Votto.
An MRI found the first baseman has torn cartilage in his left knee that will require surgery and sideline him for three to four weeks. The slugger hurt his left knee while sliding on June 29 but kept playing. He started for the National League in the All-Star Game last Tuesday and played all three games of a sweep over the Cardinals that left Cincinnati alone in first place in the NL Central.
Votto is batting .342 and leads the NL in doubles, walks and extra-base hits.
Marlins 5, Nationals 3: Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run homer and Carlos Lee had two RBIs as host Miami earned a split in the four-game series.
Phillies 3, Dodgers 2: Ryan Howard homered for his first RBI of the season and Joe Blanton pitched eight effective innings for visiting Philadelphia. Jimmy Rollins also went deep and Jonathan Papelbon retired pinch hitter Adam Kennedy on an easy pop-up with a runner at third to end it.
Rockies 5, Pirates 4: Dexter Fowler hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth as Colorado overcame a tying three-run homer by Pedro Alvarez in the top of the inning.
There was a 53-minute rain delay with one out in the top of the ninth, two Pirates on base and Colorado leading 4-1. After play resumed, Alvarez hit Rex Brothers' first pitch, a 98-mph fastball, into the leftfield seats to tie the score at 4.
Cardinals 3, Brewers 2: Matt Holliday's two-out, two-run single off John Axford (2-6) tied the score in the top of the ninth and Allen Craig then blooped a single to give St. Louis the lead.
Twins 19, Orioles 7: Denard Span had three hits, five RBIs and two highlight-reel catches in centerfield as host Minnesota ended its losing streak at five games. Ben Revere made two remarkable running grabs himself in rightfield to go with four hits and three RBIs for the Twins. Justin Morneau also had four of Minnesota's 20 hits and Joe Mauer homered and drove in two runs.
Tigers 8, Angels 6: Brennan Boesch hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh for host Detroit.
Indians 3, Rays 2: Zach McAllister shrugged off being struck in his pitching arm by a line drive to finish six solid innings for visiting Cleveland.
Mariners 9, Royals 4: Casper Wells homered and drove in five runs for visiting Seattle.
-- AP
