Denver ? It takes more than one big hit to break out of the kind of slump Todd Helton has been in lately. Still, this was a pretty big hit, and it came against a good pitcher.

Helton tied the game with a two-run single with the bases loaded in the ninth, and Brad Hawpe followed with the winning walk Thursday to help the Colorado Rockies defeat St. Louis, 8-7, handing Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen his first blown save of the season.

“There’s a long way to go until the burden is lifted,” Helton said. “But it’s a long season, and I guess you have to start somewhere.”

Coming into the game, Helton was batting .258 and in a 4-for-54 slump. This season, he was 8-for-46 with runners in scoring position. Against Isringhausen, he fouled off three pitches before he sent a 3-2 pitch into right field to tie it at 7.

The Cardinals intentionally walked Matt Holliday – who had two homers and a double – then brought in Randy Flores to face Hawpe, who walked on five pitches.

Isringhausen (0-1) suffered his first blown save in 22 tries dating to last season. It was the reliever’s first blemish in a season in which he had converted all 16 of his save opportunities.

Cubs 5, Padres 0

San Diego – Glendon Rusch pitched a four-hit shutout, and Derrek Lee had three more hits to raise his average to .389, leading Chicago over San Diego, the Cubs’ season-high seventh straight victory. The Cubs have had at least 10 hits in every game of the winning streak.

Colorado's Todd Helton connects for a game-tying two-run single in the ninth inning against St. Louis. The Rockies rallied for an 8-7 victory Thursday in Denver.

Marlins 6, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh – Dontrelle Willis halted Florida’s nine-game losing streak in Pittsburgh, getting homers from Carlos Delgado and Damion Easley to become the majors’ first nine-game winner. The Marlins hadn’t won in Pittsburgh since an 11-1 victory on Sept. 8, 2002.

Nationals 8, Braves 6

Washington – Backup catcher Gary Bennett drove in five runs, three on a bases-loaded double in the eighth inning, leading Washington over Atlanta. Washington scored five runs in the eighth, including four off struggling Dan Kolb (1-5).

Phillies 6, Giants 5

Philadelphia – David Bell and Jimmy Rollins each drove in two runs, and Jon Lieber won his second straight start to help Philadelphia return to .500. The Phillies (27-27) swept the three-game series and moved back to .500 for the first time since they were 8-8 on April 21. They haven’t had a winning record since April 18, but have won 12 of 18 and open a four-game series today at home against Arizona.

Dodgers 6, Brewers 4

Los Angeles – J.D. Drew drove in three runs with a pair of homers, Jeff Kent also homered, and Los Angeles ended a three-game losing streak. Giovanni Carrara (5-2) pitched two innings of one-hit relief for the victory, helping send Milwaukee to its fifth loss in six games. Eric Gagne struck out three in the ninth, but also allowed a run, a hit, two walks, and threw two wild pitches. He earned his fourth save in as many chances.

Mets 6, Diamondbacks 1

New York – Pedro Martinez pitched eight sharp innings and received a home run from Carlos Beltran as New York defeated Arizona. Martinez (6-1) dominated the Diamondbacks, striking out nine.