Mets rally in ninth to cool off Nationals

TORONTO (Reuters) – Jose Offerman’s run-scoring singlestarted a three-run ninth inning rally, lifting the New YorkMets to a 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals Monday.

The Mets rallied from a 2-0 deficit to hand the Nationalsjust their second loss at home in 18 games, pulling back to.500 (41-41) with the victory.

Mike Cameron followed with a run-scoring double and CarlosBeltran added a run-scoring single in the ninth as the Mets gotto reliever Sunny Kim.

Cameron had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for theMets, who had 10 hits off three Washington pitchers.

Jose Reyes had two hits and scored twice for the Mets.

Roberto Hernandez (4-2) pitched two perfect innings ofrelief for the win and Braden Looper pitched a hitless ninthfor his 18th save.

Kim (1-1) allowed three runs on four hits in two inningsand took the loss for Washington, snapping the Nationalssix-game winning streak.

In Houston, Roy Oswalt pitched a complete game five-hitteras the Astros beat the San Diego Padres 4-1.

Oswalt (11-7) struck out six and walked two in pitching histhird complete game of the season and eighth of his career.Craig Biggio hit a three-run homer for the Astros.

Brian Lawrence (5-7) allowed four runs on nine hits overseven innings and took the loss.

In Pittsburgh, Bobby Abreu hit a grand slam as thePhiladelphia Phillies beat the Pirates 12-1.

Cory Lidle (8-6) pitched seven innings, allowing one run onseven hits and striking out six for the win.

Dave Williams (6-6) pitched four innings, allowing eightruns on eight hits, walking two and striking out five to takethe loss. Jose Castillo had two hits for the Pirates.

In San Francisco, Jason LaRue homered and drove in six runsas the Cincinnati Reds beat the Giants 11-10.

Ryan Wagner (3-2) pitched two innings, allowing two runs onthree hits, walking one and striking out two for the win.

Matt Belisle pitched one inning for his first save and WilyMo Pena and Ken Griffey Jr both homered for the Reds.

Jeremy Accardo (0-2) pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing tworuns on one hit, walking one and striking out two to take theloss.

Ray Durham and Deivi Cruz homered for the Giants.

In Miami, Ben Sheets pitched eight strong innings, as theMilwaukee Brewers beat the Florida Marlins 3-2.

Sheets (4-6) allowed two runs on four hits, walking one andstriking out 10.

Derrick Turnbow pitched one inning for his 16th save.Carlos Lee had one hit and drove in one run for the Brewers.

Todd Jones (1-3) pitched one inning, allowing one run onone hit and striking out one to take the loss.

Carlos Delgado homered for the Marlins.

In Phoenix, John Mabry had four hits and drove in two runsas the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3.

Matt Morris (10-1) pitched seven innings, allowing one runon six hits and striking out seven for the win.

Brandon Webb (8-5) pitched seven innings, allowing fiveruns — four earned — on eight hits, walking two and strikingout six to take the loss.

Troy Glaus hit a two run homer for the Diamondbacks.

In Atlanta, Adam LaRoche homered twice as the Braves beatthe Chicago Cubs 4-0.

Kyle Davies (4-2) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing fourhits, walking four and striking out three for the win.

Kerry Wood (1-2) pitched five innings, allowing three runson six hits, walking three and striking out six to take theloss. Aramis Ramirez had two hits for the Cubs.

In Denver, Oscar Robles hit a go-ahead single in the 11thinning to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-3 victory overthe Colorado Rockies.

Giovanni Carrara (6-2) pitched two innings, allowing onewalk and striking out one for the win.

Yhency Brazoban pitched one inning for his 16th save.

Robles wound up with five hits and drove in two runs.

Jay Witasick (0-4) pitched one inning, allowing one run ontwo hits and walking one to take the loss.

Aaron Miles had three hits and drove in one run for theRockies.