Ethier hit streak ends at 30 games

• NATIONAL LEAGUE

Now that it's over, Andre Ethier is ready to put his 30-game hitting streak behind him.

"I compare this to a bad breakup," he said. "It was a fun little ride."

Ethier went 0 for 4 with a first-inning walk Saturday night and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers lost their fourth straight game, 4-2 to the New York Mets.

His final chance for a hit came in the eighth inning, but he struck out swinging at a pitch well off the plate with a runner on first. He was more upset by his poor at-bat than the end of the streak.

"That last at-bat was a tough out, swinging at the chase pitch," Ethier said. "Maybe I can start focusing on driving the ball more."

Ethier fell one game shy of the Dodgers record set by Willie Davis, who had a 31-game hitting streak in 1969.

The previous three major leaguers with 30-game hitting streaks also failed to reach 31: Ryan Zimmerman (2009), Moises Alou (2007) and Willy Taveras (2006). The last player to surpass 30 was Chase Utley (35) in 2006.

The Mets snapped an eighth-inning tie when pinch-hitter Justin Turner's bases-loaded drive to deep center glanced off the glove of center fielder Matt Kemp and went for a long two-run single. Kemp sprinted toward the wall and tried to make an over-the-shoulder catch, but couldn't do it.

The Dodgers have lost nine of their last 13, falling a season-worst four games below .500 at 15-19.

Cubs 3, Reds 2: Kosuke Fukudome hit a game-winning single as host Chicago scored twice in the ninth inning to beat Cincinnati.

Brewers 4, Cardinals 0: Yovani Gallardo flirted with a no-hitter as visiting Milwaukee defeated St. Louis.

Pirates 6, Astros 1: Charlie Morton took a shutout into the eighth and Lyle Overbay homered as host Pittsburgh downed Houston.

Nationals 5, Marlins 2: At Miami, Tom Gorzelanny pitched seven innings and two relievers completed a two-hitter as visiting Washington defeated Florida.

Diamondbacks 6, Padres 0: Justin Upton hit a two-run home run and Daniel Hudson won his third straight start as visiting Arizona blanked San Diego.

Giants 3, Rockies 2: Mike Fontenot hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to score Aaron Rowand as host San Francisco defeated Colorado.

• AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 8, Orioles 2: Ben Zobrist tied a career high with four hits and scored three runs as visiting Tampa Bay downed Baltimore.

Red Sox 4, Twins 0: Clay Buchholz combined with four relievers on a three-hitter as host Boston defeated Minnesota.

Royals 4, Athletics 3: Mike Aviles' sacrifice fly scored Jarrod Dyson in the ninth to lift Kansas City against visiting Oakland.

Rangers 7, Yankees 5: At Arlington, Texas., Julio Borbon drove in three runs, including the go-ahead run with a squeeze bunt as host Texas defeated New York. Earlier in the day, Texas placed slugger Nelson Cruz on the 15-day DL with a strained right quadriceps.

Indians 4, Angels 3: At Anaheim, Alex White pitched six gritty innings to earn his first major league win as visiting Cleveland edged Los Angeles.