Atlanta ? Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox is known for giving his players the freedom to swing on 3-0 counts.

Not Tuesday night. Not in the playoff atmosphere of an extra-inning game between the teams tied for first place in the NL East. Not with a sellout crowd of 43,308 on its feet, adding more pressure to the situation.

Not even with Andruw Jones at the plate and the bases loaded.

Jones took a close pitch from Luis Ayala for ball four in the 10th inning, capping a comeback that gave Atlanta a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals and sole possession of first place in the division.

Jones, who shares the major-league home-run lead with Chicago’s Derrek Lee at 32, had a triple and a double in the game. But Jones also leads the Braves with 42 walks, and he patiently waited while Ayala tried to make him chase a nasty sinker for ball three.

“In that situation you’ve got to be smart enough, after a guy throws you a 2-0 tough sinker, you have to go out there and be really patient and let him at least throw you one over the plate, and he didn’t,” Jones said.

The Nationals, who led the NL East by 51â2 games July 2, fell out of first place for the first time since June 4 – the last date the Braves were in first alone. The teams had shared first place for five days.

Washington closer Chad Cordero blew a 2-1 lead in the ninth, spoiling a strong start by Livan Hernandez against Atlanta’s John Smoltz in a matchup of All-Star pitchers. The Braves tied it when Jones doubled and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Adam LaRoche, who homered earlier.

Washington Nationals outfielder Brad Wilkerson robs Atlanta's Chipper Jones of a home run. Wilkerson made the catch Tuesday in Atlanta.

Pirates 6, Marlins 3

Miami – Matt Lawton and Chris Duffy had four hits apiece to help Pittsburgh come from behind twice.

Josh Fogg (5-6) lasted just 51â3 innings but won for the first time in 10 starts since his most recent victory on June 1, also against Florida. He gave up three runs and nine hits but singled home the Pirates’ first run for his first RBI of the season.

Daryle Ward drove in three runs for the Pirates, who overcame deficits of 1-0 and 3-2 to win for the fourth time in five games.

Brian Moehler (6-7), who had won his four previous starts in July, gave up nine hits in 41â3 innings and left trailing 4-3.

Jose Mesa pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 28 chances.

Astros 2, Phillies 1

Houston – Mike Lamb led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run, and Roy Oswalt threw a complete game to move into a tie for the most wins in the National League.

Houston has won nine of 10 games, while Philadelphia has lost eight of 11 road games.

Oswalt (14-8) tied St. Louis’ Chris Carpenter for the NL lead in victories as he improved to 10-1 at home. Oswalt leads the majors in wins since the 2004 All-Star break with 26.

Brewers 7, D’backs 2

Milwaukee – Geoff Jenkins homered to open Milwaukee’s six-run seventh, and Lyle Overbay also connected in a come-from-behind victory.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the seventh, the Brewers started the inning with four straight hits and sent 10 batters to the plate. Jenkins led off with his 13th homer off Brandon Webb (8-8), then Russell Branyan singled, and Damian Miller doubled to chase Arizona’s starter. Carlos Lee finished the rally with a run-scoring single, his NL-leading 84th RBI.

Cardinals 4, Padres 2

San Diego – Albert Pujols homered, and John Gall had a hit and scored twice in his major-league debut as St. Louis beat San Diego in a matchup of division leaders, handing the Padres’ their season-high eighth straight loss.

The punchless Padres fell to .500 (50-50) for the first time since May 4. San Diego was 14 games above .500 on May 31, when it completed the best month (22-6) in franchise history.