HOUSTON — Just before his second straight start Sunday, Zack Greinke was excited to learn that when he takes the mound after the All-Star break he'll become the first pitcher to start three games in a row in one season since 1917. After giving up three early runs, he grew worried he could end up losing them all. “I was like: ‘It's cool to get three straight starts, but if you lose all three of them, that would be the worst thing ever,'” said Greinke, who took Saturday's loss. His team ensured he'll avoid that fate by rallying late for a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros in 10 innings. Corey Hart drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the 10th inning, and Rickie Weeks' third hit added an insurance run in the victory that wrapped up the first half of the season for both teams. Nyjer Morgan walked to start the 10th and Fernando Rodriguez (1-8) intentionally walked Braun before a wild pitch moved the pair over. Rodriguez walked Aramis Ramirez to load the bases before Hart's full-count grounder put Milwaukee on top. Weeks, who homered in the second, singled in the 10th. Ryan Braun's RBI single tied it at 3 in the eighth and got Greinke off the hook after he allowed three runs in the first. Pirates 13, Giants 2: Andrew McCutchen hit two home runs, Neil Walker had five hits and the Pittsburgh Pirates routed the San Francisco Giants. The NL Central-leading Pirates have won six of seven and 10 of 12. They are 34-19 since May 12 for the best record in the majors over that stretch. Braves 4, Phillies 3: Brian McCann homered for the fourth consecutive game and Dan Uggla hit a two-run shot to lead the Braves to the three-game series sweep. Cubs 7, Mets 0: Ryan Dempster extended his scoreless streak to 27 innings in his first start in three weeks, and Starlin Castro hit a three-run homer for the Cubs. Cardinals 5, Marlins 4: Rafael Furcal hit a two-run single off Heath Bell with two out in the ninth inning, capping a three-run rally and lifting the Cardinals to the victory. Rockies 4, Nationals 3: Jordan Pacheco doubled and scored the tiebreaking run on a ninth-inning wild pitch by Tyler Clippard, giving the Rockies a comeback victory. D-backs 7, Dodgers 1: Trevor Bauer scattered two hits over six scoreless innings, leading Arizona to the victory. Paul Goldschmidt homered, doubled and drove in a career-high four runs for the Diamondbacks. Reds 4, Padres 2: All-Star Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick hit consecutive home runs, leading the Reds to the victory. Bruce and Ludwick connected two pitches apart in the fourth inning to give Cincinnati a 3-0 lead. — Agencies
