Chris Carpenter outperformed Tim Lincecum in a clash of ace pitchers, helping the St. Louis Cardinals snap a five-game losing streak and beat the San Francisco Giants 5-1 in the National League Saturday. Carpenter (14-4) allowed one run in 7 1-3 innings, striking out four and helping the Cardinals hand Lincecum the first four-game losing skid of his career. Lincecum (11-8) began the day with a 5-0 mark and a 1.54 ERA in five lifetime starts against the Cardinals. But he was tagged for four runs in 5 1-3 innings. In his past four starts, Lincecum has allowed 18 runs in 19 1-3 innings. Cardinals newcomer Pedro Feliz drove in two runs. Dodgers 8, Reds 5: In Los Angeles, Ryan Theriot, Andre Ethier, Jay Gibbons and Matt Kemp all homered in a span of just five batters to lift Los Angeles over Cincinnati. The purple patch came against Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Cueto in his first start after serving a seven-game suspension. The Dodgers snapped the Reds' seven-game winning streak and welcomed back Manny Ramirez to the lineup. L.A. starter Chad Billingsley (10-7) allowed three runs over 5 2-3 innings and struck out seven. Cubs 5, Braves 4: In Chicago, Aramis Ramirez had three hits and two RBIs to help Chicago down Atlanta. Tom Gorzelanny pitched seven strong innings for the Cubs, who were clinging on at the end. Reliever Sean Marshall entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning but the score 5-1 in his favor. After a strike out, a, Brooks Conrad's long fly off the center-field ivy brought in two runners. David Ross was held at third but was waved in when shortstop Starlin Castro dropped the relay throw, making it 5-4. Cubs closer Carlos Marmol pitched a scoreless ninth for his 22nd save in 27 opportunites. Nationals 8, Phillies 1: In Philadelphia, boom young pitcher Stephen Strasburg was injured for the second time in a month and exited early, this time a strained tendon in his right forearm, but Washington still beat Philadelphia. Strasburg left with one out in the fifth inning. He was to have an MRI exam Sunday. Strasburg was making his third start since returning from shoulder inflammation. Strasburg was in control until he got hurt, striking out six in 4 1-3 innings. Doug Slaten (3-1) pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings for the win. Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick (8-6) was hit hard all night. Brewers 6, Padres 5: In Milwaukee, Ryan Braun hit his first homer in nearly a month to help Milwaukee edge San Diego. Chris Dickerson drove in two runs for the Brewers. San Diego's Matt Stairs set a big league record for most career pinch-hit home runs when he connected for his 21st, a two-run shot in the eighth inning. Milwaukee's Mike McClendon (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings to get his first career win. John Axford got five outs for his 19th save in 21 chances. Padres starter Kevin Correia (10-8) struggled. Marlins 6, Astros 3: In Miami, Wes Helms hit a go-ahead run-scoring triple in the sixth as Florida beat Houston to extend its winning streak to a season-best five games. Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 1: In Phoenix, Justin Upton hit a go-ahead home run off Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez in the sixth inning that sent Arizona over Colorado. Mets 5, Pirates 1, 5 innings: In Pittsburgh, David Wright hit a three-run homer as New York beat Pittsburgh in a game ended in the top of the sixth because of rain.
