DENVER (AP) - Pablo Sandoval homered twice in an eight-run fourth inning, part of a six-home run barrage that led the late-charging San Francisco Giants over the Colorado Rockies 12-5 Sunday for their eighth straight win.
On its longest winning streak since April 2007, San Francisco closed within four games of Atlanta, the NL wild-card leader.
Pitcher Matt Cain (12-10), Mike Fontenot, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford also homered for the Giants, who began the day five games back of Arizona in the NL West.
Esmil Rogers (6-6) was the loser.
Diamondbacks 5, Padres 1
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Joe Saunders took a five-hitter into the ninth inning, Paul Goldschmidt drove in three runs and Arizona cut the magic number to five for their first NL West title since 2007.
Saunders (12-12) limited last-place San Diego an unearned run and seven hits in 8 2-3 innings, improving to 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA against the Padres this season.
After two-out singles by Blanks and Alberto Gonzalez in the ninth, J.J. Putz struck out pinch-hitter Nick Hundley for his 41st save in 45 chances.
Aaron Harang (13-7) allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings.
Mets 7, Braves 5
ATLANTA (AP) - Ruben Tejada had four RBIs, Lucas Duda homered off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning and New York slowed the Braves' wild-card bid with a walk-filled 7-5 victory.
Atlanta lost two of three to the Mets, who arrived with a six-game losing streak. New York went 6-4 at Atlanta this year, its first winning record at Turner Field since 2008.
After pinch-hitter Ronny Paulino's bases-loaded walk in the eighth against Jonny Venters (6-2) tied it at 5, Tejada singled to put the Mets ahead for good. Duda's homer was just the second this year off Kimbrel, the NL saves leader.
Tim Byrdak (2-0) won despite allowing a go-ahead single in the seventh to Freddie Freeman, who had been on an 0-for-15 slide.
Cardinals 5, Phillies 0
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Allen Craig hit two homers and drove in three runs, Chris Carpenter gave up eight hits in eight innings, and St. Louis improved its playoff chances by beating Philadelphia.
Albert Pujols also homered for the Cardinals (83-69), who pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Atlanta Braves in the NL wild-card chase with their ninth win in 11 games. The Cardinals remained 6 1/2 back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
Carpenter (10-9) recorded all but four of his outs by groundballs, and induced three double plays. Only three Phillies reached second and none advanced to third. Carpenter finished with five strikeouts and one walk.
Chase Utley had three hits for the Phillies (98-53).
Brewers 8, Reds 1
CINCINNATI (AP) - Carlos Gomez and Prince Fielder each hit two-run homers in the first and Zack Greinke breezed through seven sharp innings to help Milwaukee complete a series sweep.
Greinke (15-6) allowed just two hits and one run with three walks. He tied his season high with 10 strikeouts.
Matt Maloney was pressed into service as Cincinnati's starting pitcher after Dontrelle Willis developed back spasms. Maloney (0-3) gave up seven runs - six earned - on nine hits in 1 2-3 innings. His ERA climbed from 6.88 to 9.16.
Dodgers 15, Pirates 1
LOS ANGELES (AP) - James Loney had five hits with three RBIs, Jerry Sands and Juan Rivera each drove in four runs, and the Dodgers routed Pittsburgh.
Sands had a homer among his four hits, leading a 23-hit attack against eight Pittsburgh pitchers. Matt Kemp had three hits, including his 34th homer, and drove in two runs.
Chad Billingsley (11-10) allowed a run and four hits over five innings and struck out five.
Brad Lincoln (1-3) lasted only 1 1-3 innings and was charged with six runs on eight hits - three of which were sharp singles through the box.
Astros 3, Cubs 2
CHICAGO (AP) - Brett Myers benefited from a reversed homer call to beat the Cubs again and Clint Barmes had a two-run single for Houston.
With Chicago down by a run in the eighth and Starlin Castro on first, Carlos Pena's drive to left was initially ruled a two-run homer. The call was overturned after umpires reviewed video of the play. Pena was given a double and Castro was put on third base, then Marlon Byrd flied out to end the threat.
Myers (6-13) held Chicago to two runs - one earned - over 7 2-3 innings.
Myers outpitched Ryan Dempster (10-13), who overcame a shaky start to throw seven solid innings.
Nationals 4, Marlins 3
WASHINGTON (AP) - Chien-Ming Wang had the longest start of his comeback from shoulder surgery, leaving with two outs in the seventh inning, and Danny Espinosa delivered his first RBI in two weeks for the Washington.
The right-hander allowed runs on Gaby Sanchez's fifth-inning solo shot and Brett Hayes' two-run homer in the seventh. Wang (3-3) gave up six hits, struck out five and didn't walk a batter in 6 2-3 innings.
Florida rookie Brad Hand (1-8), meanwhile, lost his fifth consecutive start, allowing four runs - three earned - and five hits in four innings.