Mets 4, Nationals 3

Washington – The beleaguered New York bullpen finally saved one for Johan Santana, preserving a victory that extended Washington’s losing streak to six games.

The Mets snapped an eighth-inning tie when Damion Easley was hit by Saul Rivera’s two-strike pitch with the bases loaded and handed a slim lead to a shaky relief corps that has struggled badly without injured closer Billy Wagner.

But this time, Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano each worked a scoreless inning to lock down Santana’s elusive 10th win. Feliciano, normally a left-handed specialist, struck out two in a perfect ninth for his third major league save. The other two came last year.

Six times this season New York’s bullpen has cost Santana (10-7) a potential win – with five of the collapses coming in the ninth inning. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner left with a 3-1 lead in his previous outing last Thursday, only to have San Diego tie it in the ninth.

The relievers also blew a four-run cushion for Pedro Martinez over the last three innings of Monday’s 7-5 loss to Pittsburgh.

Marlins 4, Cardinals 3

Miami – Hanley Ramirez hit a three-run homer, and Florida pitchers held St. Louis scoreless over the last eight innings. Chris Volstad (4-2) pitched five innings for the win in his sixth major-league start. He gave up five hits and three walks.

Dodgers 4, Phillies 3

Los Angeles – Andre Ethier singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth inning. Casey Blake had two RBIs for Los Angeles.

Astros 12, Giants 4

Houston – Lance Berkman hit a grand slam in an eight-run seventh inning after San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum left the game due to an injured knee, and Houston won its sixth straight game.

Brewers 5, Padres 2

San Diego – Prince Fielder hit a three-run homer, and Jeff Suppan pitched eight strong innings to lead Milwaukee to its seventh straight victory.

Reds 5, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh – Edinson Volquez pitched into the seventh inning to snap a post All-Star break slump, and Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh in the Reds’ first game since they traded Adam Dunn.

Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 2

Denver – Randy Johnson pitched six solid innings and singled in a run, and Adam Dunn had a double in his Arizona debut.