McCann homers twice in Braves' win
Brian McCann came off the bench in the ninth inning to tie it with a pinch-hit, two-out homer, then hit a two-run shot in the 11th to lead the host Braves past the Astros, 3-1, Tuesday.
"If the game is close, I know I'm the first one off the bench to hit," the All-Star catcher said. "I'm ready for that. I know that's my role when I'm not playing."
The Braves were trailing 1-0 and down to their final strike in the ninth when McCann drove Mark Melancon's 1-and-2 pitch to left-center.
He stayed in the game behind the plate and, two innings later, ended it with his towering drive down the rightfield line, just inside the foul pole against Jeff Fulchino (0-2).
Cory Gearrin (1-1) escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the 11th, helped by a disputed call, and was rewarded with his first career win.
Cardinals 2, Phillies 1: Lance Berkman lined a bases-loaded single over a drawn-in outfield with one out in the ninth inning for host St. Louis.
Reds 7, Cubs 5: Kerry Wood's throwing error let two runs score and Chris Heisey followed with a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning for host Cincinnati.
Rockies 5, Giants 3: Carlos Gonzalez's two-run single off Javier Lopez capped a four-run eighth-inning rally as host Colorado surged back into first place in the NL West by completing a two-game sweep.
Indians 7, Royals 3: Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera both homered and Travis Hafner hit a bases-loaded double as visiting Cleveland completed a two-game sweep of Kansas City.
White Sox 4, Rangers 3: Gordon Beckham scampered home on Cody Eppley's wild pitch in the eighth inning, lifting host Chicago. Brent Morel's three-run homer, his first of the season, tied it at 3 for the White Sox. -- AP
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