Arroyo baffles Nationals

? Everything, it seems, is going right for Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds these days. And all is amiss for the Washington Nationals.

Arroyo threw eight innings of one-hit ball, and Cincinnati jumped out to an early lead just as they did all series in a 5-0 victory over Washington on Wednesday that completed a three-game sweep.

Arroyo improved to 4-0 with a 2.34 earned-run average in five starts, allowing only Ryan Zimmerman’s single to right-center with two outs in the fourth.

The right-hander left after 119 pitches – “I was running out of juice,” he said – and Kent Mercker and David Weathers combined for a hitless ninth.

Astros 8, Dodgers 5

Houston – Lance Berkman had a two-run homer and three RBIs, backing Wandy Rodriguez and leading Houston over Los Angeles. Chris Burke had a career-high three hits and two RBIs as the Astros capped a 7-2 homestand with their ninth win in 11 games.

Phillies 9, Rockies 5

Philadelphia – David Bell hit a three-run homer, and Pat Burrell drove in two runs. Mike Lieberthal and Chase Utley each had three hits for the Phillies, who improved to 5-9 at home. Cory Sullivan had four hits, including a solo homer for Colorado.

Mets 9, Giants 7 (11)

San Francisco – Chris Woodward lined a go-ahead double in the 11th inning and scored on Jose Reyes’ single, lifting New York. Barry Bonds hit a tying pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth for the 711th of his career to force extra innings.

Cardinals 4, Pirates 3

St. Louis – Albert Pujols hit a game-winning double in the ninth inning after Jason Isringhausen allowed a tying home run to Jose Hernandez in the top half, giving St. Louis a three-game sweep.

Brewers 5, Braves 4

Milwaukee – Ben Sheets won for the first time since tearing a back muscle last August, and Milwaukee beat Atlanta for its first sweep of the Braves. Sheets (1-2) was sharp, striking out nine in six innings. He gave up two runs and six hits, and reached 96 mph on the radar gun as late as his final inning.

Diamondbacks 3, Padres 2

San Diego – Orlando Hernandez threw six strong innings and rookie Conor Jackson homered for the go-ahead run, leading Arizona to a three-game sweep of San Diego. Mike Piazza hit his 400th career homer with two outs in the ninth, his third with the Padres.

Marlins 7, Cubs 5

Chicago – Pinch-hitter Wes Helms had a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning, and Ricky Nolasco gained his first major-league win.