Vidro Returns to Back Up Loaiza

The host Washington Nationals defeated the New York Mets, 3-2, Tuesday night as Esteban Loaiza out-pitched Pedro Martinez and second baseman Jose Vidro returned to the lineup.

Vidro, a three-time All-Star, was activated from the disabled list after sitting out 54 games because of an ankle injury he suffered while sliding at the plate. He had a run-scoring double.

Vidro slid at the plate Tuesday, scoring what turned out to be the decisive run in the seventh inning, then nearly choked up when he got to the dugout.

“I tried to get my legs up, my knee up, so that I wouldn’t get anything stuck out there,” said Vidro, describing the slide.

“But it was so exciting. You don’t know how much this means to me. I almost cried. I’m not going to lie. I was so emotional. I love this game. I love to be out there, put my uniform on.”

Loaiza (5-5) had his best game this season, giving up six hits and striking out eight in eight-plus innings.

“I just hit both of my spots on the inside corner and the outside,” Loaiza said. “I threw all of my pitches for strikes and did what I wanted to do with the ball.”

Most of the game was a tense battle between Loaiza and Martinez (9-3), who gave up three runs, eight hits, walked one and struck out six before leaving for a pinch-hitter after seven innings.

Houston 6, San Diego 2 -- Brandon Backe (7-6) ended a personal three-game losing streak, and Jason Lane hit a three-run home run to help the host Astros win for the sixth time in seven games.

Craig Biggio’s home run in the fifth ended a 1-1 tie and Lance Berkman followed with a double. After Morgan Ensberg was intentionally walked, the Padres lifted starter Dennys Reyes for Brian Falkenborg. Lane homered for a four-run lead and said the intentional walk to Ensberg inspired him.

Brian Giles had three hits and drove in the Padre runs.

St. Louis 7, Arizona 1 -- Albert Pujols drove in two runs with three hits -- including his 22nd homer -- at Phoenix to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.

Pujols had a 30-game hitting streak in 2003. Jeff Suppan (8-7) gave up one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

So Taguchi had a solo homer and two runs batted in. Reggie Sanders, back in the lineup after sitting out two games because of a strained right foot, had two RBIs.

Cincinnati 7, San Francisco 4 -- Wily Mo Pena hit a go-ahead single in the sixth inning and drove in two runs, and the Reds won consecutive road games for the first time this season.

Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer, Sean Casey had three hits and Eric Milton (4-9) pitched 6 1/3 strong innings to earn his first win away from Great American Ball Park this season. David Weathers got his fourth save.

Rookie Lance Niekro hit a two-run homer in the first for the Giants, who lost their fourth game in a row.

Noah Lowry (5-8) gave up four runs and eight hits, struck out seven and walked two.

Pittsburgh 3, Philadelphia 0 -- Kip Wells (6-8) pitched a four-hitter in his third career complete game and hit a double to start a three-run fifth inning at Pittsburgh.

Jason Bay hit a two-run homer and Matt Lawton had a run-scoring double.

The Phillies, who have lost 12 of 16, got a scare in the first inning when Jose Castillo’s line drive hit right-hander Jon Lieber’s right elbow.

X-rays did not reveal any broken bones.

Milwaukee 6, Florida 4 -- Russell Branyan, in the lineup for the first time since breaking a finger June 1, had three hits and drove in two runs for the Brewers at Miami.

Chris Capuano (9-6) pitched into the eighth inning to win his fourth consecutive start.

Marlin starter Josh Beckett (8-6) left in the third inning because of a strained left side muscle. The injury will be re-evaluated today.