LaRoche homers twice for Nats

WASHINGTON — Adam LaRoche homered twice, Danny Espinosa hit a three-run shot in Washington’s six-run eighth inning, as the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 10-7 Saturday.

The Nationals increased their lead over Atlanta in the NL East to three games.

Washington trailed 6-4 heading into the eighth, but the Nationals tied it on RBI singles by Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore against Mike Dunn (0-1).

Espinosa, who had committed two errors leading to Miami runs, hit his 10th homer of the season over the bullpen in left field. Bryce Harper followed with his 10th to make it 10-6.

Ryan Mattheus (4-1) pitched 1 2-3 innings for the win. Tyler Clippard allowed a run in the ninth. Miami’s Jose Reyes had three hits, scored four runs and stole two bases. His 23-game hitting streak is tied with the New York Yankees’ Robinson Cano for the longest in the majors this season.

Reds 5, Pirates 4: Scott Rolen tripled and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Cincinnati Reds beat Pittsburgh for their fifth straight win.

The Reds have won 15 of 16 and opened a 5½-game lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

It was 4-all when Rolen led off the eighth with a line drive off the right-center field wall, beating the relay with a headfirst slide into third base. Todd Frazier hit a chopper that was fielded by pitcher Jared Hughes (2-1) too late to get Rolen at the plate. Rolen earlier had a two-run single.

Jonathan Broxton (1-0), acquired Tuesday from Kansas City, pitched a scoreless eighth for the win. Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 25th save.

Dodgers 3, Cubs 1: Clayton Kershaw pitched three-hit ball over seven innings, Matt Kemp homered and Los Angeles beat Chicago to keep Chris Volstad winless in his last 21 starts.

Kershaw (9-6) helped the Dodgers remain a half-game behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, coming off a shutout against the Giants last Sunday, struck out seven and allowed his only run on a fourth-inning double by Alfonso Soriano.

Giants 11, Rockies 6: Angel Pagan homered and had four hits to back a solid outing by Madison Bumgarner that sent San Francisco past Colorado.

Phillies 3, Diamondbacks 0: Roy Halladay gave up three hits over seven innings and Erik Kratz homered, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over Arizona.

Astros 3, Braves 2: Justin Maxwell had a career-high four hits, including two homers, and the Houston Astros snapped a four-game losing streak with win over Atlanta.

Cardinals 6, Brewers 1: Adam Wainwright pitched a five-hitter and also contributed at the plate, leading the St. Louis Cardinals past Milwaukee.

Mets 6, Padres 2: Jeremy Hefner pitched six impressive innings and New York took advantage of Edinson Volquez’s wildness to beat San Diego. — Agencies