Dodgers avoid sweep with help from Belliard's big day

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Ronnie Belliard homered among three extra base hits and drove in four runs, and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers avoided being swept in a three-game series by the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first time in 10 years with a 10-2 victory Thursday.

The Dodgers hadn't been swept in a three-game series by Pittsburgh since Sept. 4-6, 2000, in Los Angeles.

Reds 2, Cardinals 1: Jonny Gomes hit a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting Cincinnati past visiting St. Louis.

Nationals 6, Phillies 5: Ryan Zimmerman drove in the tiebreaking run with a single in the seventh and host Washington edged Philadelphia.

Cubs 2, Braves 0: Randy Wells pitched six scoreless innings, leading Chicago at Atlanta.

Marlins 3, Mets 1: Nate Robertson pitched five solid innings, leading Florida at New York.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Blue Jays 3, Rangers 1: At Arlington, Texas, Vernon Wells hit his fourth homer in three games and Toronto rallied past Texas.

Twins 10, Angels 1: At Anaheim, Calif., Jim Thome, Brendan Harris and Delmon Young all homered, leading Minnesota past Los Angeles.

Tigers 7, Royals 3: Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in four runs, leading Detroit at Kansas City.

Indians 5, White Sox 3, 11 inn.: Asdrubal Cabrera's RBI single in the 11th lifted Cleveland at Chicago.

Orioles 5, Rays 4: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Garrett Atkins had two RBIs and Baltimore beat Tampa Bay.