PITTSBURGH – James McDonald scattered four hits over seven innings, Mike McKenry homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Saturday.
Neil Walker doubled twice and drove in a run while extending his hitting streak to 11 games and Joel Hanrahan worked the ninth to pick up his 23rd save.
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Not even the hottest day in PNC Park’s brief history flustered McDonald, who worked efficiently in the 97-degree heat.
McDonald (9-3) struck out 10 and walked none, winning his fourth straight start and lowering his sparkling ERA to 2.37.
The Pirates have won 9 of 11 and are guaranteed at least a share of the NL Central lead through the All-Star break.
Ryan Theriot and Gregor Blanco had two hits apiece for the Giants, who have dropped 6 of 8.
NATIONALS 4, ROCKIES 1: Gio Gonzalez pitched six innings of three-hit ball to earn his 12th win, Ian Desmond homered, and Washington used a three-run sixth to beat visiting Colorado.
Gonzalez (12-3) won his fourth straight start to move into a tie with R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets for the major league lead in wins. Gonzalez allowed one run, walked three and struck out six.
METS 3, CUBS 1: Ike Davis homered, Jordany Valdespin hit one out for the second day in a row and Dillon Gee pitched one-run ball for eight innings to help New York win at home.
BRAVES 6, PHILLIES 3: Tommy Hanson pitched effectively into the eighth, Brian McCann homered and Atlanta won at Philadelphia.
CARDINALS 3, MARLINS 2: Kyle Lohse beat visiting Miami with seven innings of three-hit ball in 106-degree heat and Tony Cruz hit a go-ahead two-run triple.
Allen Craig had three hits and Skip Schumaker added an RBI single in the fourth for the Cardinals, who have won 5 of 7 and snapped the Marlins’ three-game winning streak.
ASTROS 6, BREWERS 3: Scott Moore homered for the second straight day, and J.D. Martinez and Jose Altuve had three hits each as host Houston took advantage of the first-inning ejection of Zack Greinke to break a season-long nine-game losing streak.
Greinke (9-3) was gone after four pitches — ejected after spiking the ball following a close play at first base.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
WHITE SOX 2, BLUE JAYS 0: Gavin Floyd pitched 72/3 innings of four-hit ball and Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer to lead Chicago over visiting Toronto.
The White Sox have won five straight to move a season-high 10 games over .500. They also have won a season-high seven straight at home.
RANGERS 4, TWINS 3: Nelson Cruz hit an RBI double in the 10th inning as host Texas snapped a five-game losing streak.
Texas’ Josh Hamilton had a home run, walk and a run scored as the DH one night after leaving in the fifth inning with back spasms.
INDIANS 7, RAYS 3: Ubaldo Jimenez struck out eight over six innings and Shelley Duncan hit a two-run homer to help Cleveland beat visiting Tampa Bay
TIGERS 8, ROYALS 7: Prince Fielder hit a two-run, tying homer in the first, Delmon Young had a two-run home run to pad the lead in the seventh inning and Detroit held on to win at home.
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