Brewers remain perfect

? The Milwaukee Brewers are more confident than they’ve been in awhile and having more early success than they’ve had in almost 20 years.

Carlos Lee knocked in J.J. Hardy with an RBI single in the ninth to give the Brewers a 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. Milwaukee is 5-0 for the first time since 1987 and just the third time in franchise history.

“Were expecting to win every time we go out there,” said Hardy, who had three hits. “It’s a much different feeling than last year when we didn’t expect to win all the time.”

With one out in the ninth, Hardy doubled down the left-field line off Diamondback reliever Luis Vizcaino (0-1). Geoff Jenkins was walked intentionally to put runners at first and second. On a 1-2 pitch, Lee lined a single to center, and Hardy beat Eric Byrnes’ throw to the plate.

“I’ve got two strikes on me, and I’m just trying to put the ball in play,” said Lee, who is hitting .467 this season.

Nationals 12, Astros 8

Houston – Jose Vidro hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs, and Alfonso Soriano had four RBIs to help Washington rally. The Astros led, 6-3, before the Nationals scored six runs in the seventh inning.

Reds 11, Pirates 9

Cincinnati – Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer, and Cincinnati extended Pittsburgh’s worst start in 32 years. The Pirates are 0-6 for the first time since 1974. The franchise record for season-opening futility is an 0-8 mark in 1955.

Cubs 3, Cardinals 2

Chicago – Derrek Lee hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth to lead Chicago. Michael Barrett hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh for the Cubs, who couldn’t get anything going against NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter.

Giants 12, Braves 6

San Francisco – Omar Vizquel had four hits and five RBIs, and Moises Alou hit a two-run homer for the Giants. The Giants scored eight runs off Tim Hudson (0-1) to help Jamey Wright (1-0) win his San Francisco debut. Barry Bonds went 1-for-3 with two walks for the Giants.

Rockies 12, Padres 4

San Diego – Miguel Ojeda, a former San Diego backup catcher, drove in four runs with a homer and single, and Clint Barmes also hit a two-run homer to lead Colorado.