ATLANTA: Martin Prado homered and drove in three runs to extend his form surge and lead the Atlanta Braves to 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Saturday. Prado and Nate McLouth hit back-to-back homers in the first inning for the only runs allowed by Philadelphia starter Joe Blanton (1-2) in five innings. Braves starter Jair Jurrjens (5-0) took a perfect game into the seventh inning and wound up giving up three hits in 7 1-3 innings to beat the Phillies for the second time in a week. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in six starts. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his ninth save. Reds 7, Cardinals 3: In Cincinnati, Johnny Cueto took a shutout into the eighth inning to steer Cincinatti past St. Louis. Cueto (2-0) didn't allow a Cardinal to reach second base until the seventh. Ramon Hernandez hit solo homers on each of the first two pitches he saw, while Brandon Phillips drove in three runs for the Reds, who moved into the NL Central's first place alone for the first time since April 18. Kyle McClellan (5-1) took the loss. Marlins 1, Nationals 0: In Washington, Anibal Sanchez pitched eight scoreless innings as Florida came out on top of Washington in a minimum-score game. Other results: Giants 3, Cubs 0, 6 innings, rain; Padres 9, Rockies 7; Brewers 8, Pirates 2; Diamondbacks 1, Dodgers 0; Astros 7, Mets 3. 7th straight by Tigers Brad Penny pitched eight scoreless innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 in the American League Saturday for their seventh straight victory. Detroit scored three runs in the first inning and that proved enough. Penny (4-3) issued no walks in eight innings. Jose Valverde struck out two in a hitless ninth, earning his 10th save. Jeff Francis (0-5) pitched all eight innings for Kansas City, allowing seven hits. Angels 3, Rangers 2: In Arlington, Texas, Maicer Izturis hit a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning to lift Los Angeles over Texas. Izturis hit a liner to left off Darren Oliver (1-4) that drove home catcher Jeff Mathis, who led off the ninth with a single before a sacrifice bunt by Peter Bourjos. Angels closer Jordan Walden worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save in nine chances. Scott Downs (1-0) faced only one batter to get out of the eighth and take the win. Texas starter Dan Haren wound up without a decision and is winless in his past five starts despite a 1.93 ERA that is second-best in the AL. Orioles 6, Rays 0: In St. Petersburg, Brad Bergesen pitched his first major league shutout to steer Baltimore past Tampa Bay. Other results: Red Sox 6, Yankees 0; Athletics 6, White Sox 2; Blue Jays 9, Twins 3, 11 Innings.
