Hudson, Braves shut out Arizona

Backed by a key defensive play by first baseman Freddie Freeman and two ninth-inning strikeouts by closer Craig Kimbrel with a runner on third, Tim Hudson and the host Atlanta Braves beat Josh Collmenter and the Arizona Diamondbacks, 1-0, Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

Hudson (13-7) allowed three hits and three walks in seven innings and combined with Jonny Venters and Kimbrel on a five-hit shutout.

Alex Gonzalez homered for the game's only run.

The Braves strengthened their lead in the NL wild-card race by winning six of seven from San Francisco and Arizona to complete a 7-3 homestand.

Nationals 5, Phillies 4: Ian Desmond hit a tying homer with two strikes and two outs in the ninth inning, then Jonny Gomes was nicked by a pitch from Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the 10th. An RBI single by Michael Martinez put the Phillies ahead 4-3 in the ninth.

Giants 6, Astros 4: Pablo Sandoval hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the 11th in Houston. The Giants placed closer Brian Wilson on the disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday, with inflammation in his right elbow.

Cardinals 6, Cubs 2: Albert Pujols hit his 31st homer among his four hits and Yadier Molina homered twice in Chicago.

Rockies 5, Dodgers 3: In Denver, Kevin Millwood (1-1) allowed three runs in seven innings for his first big-league win in nearly a year, and Seth Smith hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh. The Rockies had lost 17 Sunday games in a row.

Padres 4, Marlins 3: Nick Hundley tripled leading off the bottom of the ninth and scored on Will Venable's single for a four-game sweep in San Diego.

Reds 5, Pirates 4: Joey Votto hit a three-run homer and Ramon Hernandez's RBI single and Brandon Phillips' fielder's choice got the tying and go-ahead runs across in the ninth in Pittsburgh.-- AP