Washington ? Two blown late-inning leads culminating in a game-ending wild pitch overshadowed Ryan Howard’s franchise-record 49th homer and kept the Philadelphia Phillies from gaining a share of the NL wild card lead.

Marlon Anderson scored from third base on Aaron Fultz’s wild pitch in the 10th inning, giving the Washington Nationals a 6-5 victory Thursday night.

Philadelphia led 4-2 in the ninth before Felipe Lopez had a two-run single off Arthur Rhodes with two outs. It was Rhodes’ second blown save in six chances while filling in for injured closer Tom Gordon.

The Phillies took a 5-4 lead in the 10th when Abraham Nunez scored from third on Brian Schneider’s passed ball.

Nick Johnson led off the 10th with a single and, one out later, took third on Anderson’s single. Schneider followed with an RBI single, and Anderson advanced to third on Bernie Castro’s flyout.

Fultz (3-1) then threw a 2-0 pitch in the dirt to pinch-hitter Ryan Church that was blocked by catcher Mike Lieberthal, but the ball bounced in front of the plate and rolled toward the mound. Anderson came home as Fultz tried to pick up the ball and tag him.

Ryan Wagner (2-2) pitched an inning for the victory.

Howard reached base in all five plate appearances and scored three runs. He went 2-for-2, was hit by a pitch and walked twice – once intentionally. His fourth-inning solo homer went into the upper deck in right center and broke Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt’s Philadelphia record, set in 1980.

Howard finished August with 14 homers and 41 RBIs. The first baseman leads the majors with 49 homers and 128 RBIs.

Rockies 8, Mets 4

Denver – Jeff Francis struggled on the mound, but not at the plate, posting his first career two-hit, two-RBI game in Colorado’s win over New York. Francis (11-10) allowed four runs and 10 hits in five innings. He helped himself out with his bat, singling home a run in the third and adding a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Giants 8, Braves 6

Atlanta – Matt Morris won on the road for the first time in six tries, ending a six-game home winning streak for John Smoltz and leading San Francisco over Atlanta. Mark Sweeney hit a two-run single in a three-run sixth that knocked out Smoltz (12-7), who gave up a season-high seven runs and six hits in five-plus innings.

Cardinals 5, Marlins 2

St. Louis – Chris Duncan hit a tying pinch homer, and Scott Rolen singled in the go-ahead run in a four-run eighth inning. St. Louis, which reopened a five-game lead over second-place Cincinnati in the NL Central, sent the Marlins to their second straight loss following a nine-game winning streak.

Astros 5, Brewers 3

Houston – Craig Biggio homered, and Andy Pettitte struck out five in seven solid innings as Houston completed a three-game sweep of Milwaukee.