Pittsburgh ? Olmedo Saenz was the only position player left for either team when Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy finally called on him to pinch-hit in the 14th inning.

Turns out he was worth the wait on a day the Dodgers nearly wasted a five-run lead.

Saenz hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 14th, and the Dodgers overcame a wild eighth inning in which their bullpen walked in four runs to rally past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-7, Sunday.

Saenz was only 2-for-11 as a pinch-hitter until hitting John Grabow’s 2-0 pitch into the left-field seats, a batter after Jose Hernandez’s leadoff walk. It was Saenz’s first homer since he hit six for Oakland in 2002.

“He is among a rare breed who can have minimal number of at-bats, yet still walk up there and give you a quality at-bat,” Tracy said. “That’s why this man is on the ballclub.”

With a runner on second and one out, Saenz wanted only to put the ball in play.

“I was looking for a pitch I could get a base hit on so we can get ahead,” Saenz said. “It got to 2-0, and I got a good pitch to hit, and I let it go.”

Brian Falkenborg (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings in only his third Dodgers appearance for his first career victory.

Grabow (0-1) took his first major-league loss as the Pirates lost their sixth in a row. They also have lost nine of 11 at home, where they are an NL-worst 4-10.

Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon, right, argues with home-plate umpire Larry Young after McClendon was ejected for questioning Young's ball and strike calls. The Pirates lost to the Dodgers, 9-7 in 14 innings, Sunday in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers improved the NL’s best record to 20-10 by winning their fourth in a row and seventh in nine games. But had they lost — and they came close — Tracy no doubt would have been second-guessed for not using closer Eric Gagne during Pittsburgh’s five-run eighth.

“With a 7-2 lead, I wasn’t going to warm Eric Gagne up in the eighth inning — not on May 9,” Tracy said. “No, he wasn’t part of that eighth.”

Astros 2, Braves 1

Atlanta — Andy Pettitte won a pitching duel with Russ Ortiz, and Houston defeated Atlanta after scoring the tiebreaking run when backup Orlando Palmeiro walked with the bases loaded. Pettitte (3-1) allowed just two hits and a run in six innings. He improved to 4-0 in his career against the Braves.

Mets 6, Brewers 5 (11)

New York — Kaz Matsui hit a game-winning double in the 11th inning after not starting for the first time this season. Matsui had started 1,143 consecutive games in Japan and his first 30 with the Mets.

Cardinals 5, Expos 2

Montreal — Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered, and Chris Carpenter pitched eight impressive innings for St. Louis. Carpenter (3-1) scattered four hits and struck out four. Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.

Giants 7, Reds 6 (10)

Cincinnati — Barry Bonds led off the 10th inning with an intentional walk, advanced on Edgardo Alfonzo’s double and came home on Deivi Cruz’s sacrifice fly, helping San Francisco complete its road trip 2-4. Bonds was 0-for-4, extending his slump to 0-for-15, when he led off the 10th against Danny Graves (1-3).

Marlins 7, Padres 4

Miami — Miguel Cabrera hit his league-leading 11th home run, and Josh Beckett pitched six strong innings for Florida. Cabrera homered for the second straight day, a three-run shot in the second inning.

Cubs 5, Rockies 4 (13)

Chicago — Corey Patterson hit a bases-loaded single with two outs in the 13th inning off Jeff Fassero (0-2) to give Chicago a victory over Colorado.

Phillies 7, D’backs 1

Phoenix — Brett Myers earned his first win of the season, and Philadelphia completed a three-game sweep of Arizona. Marlon Byrd hit a homer and scored three times in the Phillies’ fourth straight win, moving Philadelphia (15-14) above .500 for the first time this season.