Travis Wood rounds the bases after 1st homer

With a record 28 straight quality starts at home, the St. Louis Cardinals hoped to ride Adam Wainwright to a victory against the Cincinnati Reds. Wainwright struggled early (as did the Cardinals defense) as the Reds jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. That would be enough for rookie Travis Wood, who allowed an unearned run on five hits through seven innings. Wood also homered off of Wainwright for his first big league homer. Wainwright has now lost four games in a row. Reds rookie Yonder Alonso collected his first Major League hit as a pinch-hitter in the 9th inning. The Reds increased their lead in the National League Central to eight games over the Cardinals.

With Hurricane Earl expected to hit the New England area Friday, the Boston Red Sox cancelled their game against the Chicago White Sox. So they played a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. The White Sox took both games, with great starting pitching from both John Danks and Gavin Floyd. In game one, Danks allowed one run on six hits through seven innings. The White Sox beat CY Young hopeful Clay Buchholz. In game two, the White Sox also won 3-1 with Floyd allowing just the one run on five hits through six innings. Closer Bobby Jenks earned saves in each game. The loss pushed the Red Sox to ten games behind the American League East-leading NY Yankees.

The San Diego Padres lost their ninth straight game, as the Colorado Rockies beat them 6-2. Rockies starter Jason Hammel allowed two runs on six hits through 6.2 innings. Rookie Esmil Rogers entered the game in the 7th inning with the bases loaded of Padres, two outs, and David Eckstein at the plate. Rogers proceeded to strike him out and the Rockies scored three runs in the top of the 8th inning to increase their 3-2 lead to 6-2. Carlos Gonzalez continues his MVP pace as he collected three hits and two RBIs. The Rockies moved to 5.5 games behind the Padres in the NL West and stayed 6.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild card race.

With the Padres loss, the SF Giants pulled to within two games of the NL West lead, as they defeated the LA Dodgers 5-4. The Dodgers Ted Lilly outpitched the Giants Matt Cain through seven innings as the Dodgers led 4-1. However the Giants scored two runs in the top of the 8th inning and two runs in the top of the 9th inning to beat Dodgers and closer Jonathon Broxton. Edgar Renteria and Pat Burrell homered in the 8th inning for the Giants. Juan Uribe hit the game-winning two-run homer off Broxton in the 9th inning. Burrell collected two hits off the bench for the Giants and Casey Blake collected three hits (including a double) in the Dodgers loss.

Jair Jurrjens beats Marlins

Max St. Pierre collected his first big league hit after 14 years in the minor leagues. St. Pierre got the start for the Detroit Tigers and he went 1-for-4 in the Tigers 6-4 win over the KC Royals. His hit in the 8th inning started the Tigers winning rally, as they scored two runs to break the 4-4 tie. He received a standing ovation from the Royals crowd before his first at-bat and again after his single in the 8th inning. It was a response that almost moved him to tears after all of his hard work finally paid off.

In Florida, Atlanta Braves starter Jair Jurrjens outdueled Marlins starter Josh Johnson, as the Braves won 2-0 and stayed a game ahead of the Phillies in the NL East. Jurrjens allowed three hits in seven shutout innings and the Braves bullpen of Johnny Venters and Billy Wagner pitched two scoreless innings to close out the win. Johnson allowed two runs on eight hits through six innings while striking out 12. Alex Gonzalez of the Braves provided all the offense as he went 2-for-3 and drove in both runs.