Padres Exploit Error in Ninth

Miguel Olivo scored on an error in the bottom of the ninth inning and the National League West-leading San Diego Padres rallied to beat the Washington Nationals, 2-1, Sunday to climb back to .500.

The Padres (74-74) won two of three from the Nationals, who fell 4 1/2 games behind Houston in the NL wild-card race. San Diego is 5 1/2 games in front of San Francisco and reduced its magic number to nine for clinching the division title.

“We know we have some hope here,” Robert Fick said. “We know we have the right guys. We just have to execute and we did that.”

After getting seven strong innings from right-hander Pedro Astacio, the Padres won with small ball.

Olivo beat out a single to shortstop against Joey Eischen (2-1) leading off the ninth. Eischen hit Fick with a pitch and both runners advanced on Dave Roberts’ bunt. Eischen’s throw to second baseman Deivi Cruz carried into the baseline and deflected off Roberts, allowing Olivo to score.

Florida 14, Philadelphia 6 -- Miguel Cabrera drove in four runs at Miami and Josh Beckett (15-8) gave up five hits in six innings to win his third start in a row.

The Phillies fell 1 1/2 games behind wild-card leader Houston with two weeks to go. The Marlins remained 2 1/2 games back.

Houston 6, Milwaukee 1 -- Wandy Rodriguez (10-8) gave up one run and four hits in a career-high 7 1/3 innings, and Lance Berkman put the Astros ahead to stay with a two-run double in the first inning against Chris Capuano (17-10) at Houston.

Chicago 7, St. Louis 4 -- Carlos Zambrano (14-5) won his sixth consecutive decision, giving up 10 hits and two earned runs at Chicago.

Matt Murton homered against Anthony Reyes (1-1) in the sixth inning to end a 4-4 tie, and Todd Walker connected against Cal Eldred leading off the seventh.

New York 4, Atlanta 1 -- Tom Glavine (11-3) pitched a six-hitter at New York to beat his former team, and Cliff Floyd hit his career-high 32nd homer during a four-run sixth inning.

Pittsburgh 9, Cincinnati 7 -- Freddy Sanchez tied the score with a triple and scored on Jack Wilson’s single as the host Pirates rallied from a 7-6 deficit in the eighth inning.

Colorado 7, Arizona 1 -- Jeff Francis (13-12) faced 18 batters through six scoreless innings at Phoenix, and Garrett Atkins drove in three runs.