Pirates down Cards in longest game of season

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates needed more than six hours to outlast the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 Sunday in a 19-inning marathon, the longest game in the Majors this season.

It took six hours and seven minutes to complete the memorable contest in St. Louis, which matched a 17-inning grudge match between Baltimore and Boston on May 6.

Each team used eight pitchers and featured 10 consecutive scoreless innings. The game was tied at 2-2 in the sixth until both teams scored in the 17th to extend it further.

Finally, Pittsburgh infielder Pedro Alvarez broke a 3-3 tie with a solo home run in the 19th and Andrew McCutchen followed with a two-run single that gave the visiting Pirates rare separation.

Wandy Rodriguez tossed the final two innings for the victory, while Barret Browning took the loss for the Cardinals.

The victory put second-place Pittsburgh (67-54) two games in front of St. Louis (65-56) in the National League Central as both teams battle in the Wild Card Race.

Diamondbacks 8, Astros 1: The Houston Astros lost in their first game under interim manager Tony DeFrancesco as Aaron Hill homered twice to give the Arizona Diamondbacks an 8-1 win and a sweep.

DeFrancesco was the manager at Triple-A Oklahoma City before being promoted. The Astros, with the worst record in the majors, fired Brad Mills late Saturday night.

Houston dropped its fourth straight and fell to 7-33 in its last 40 games.

Nationals 5, Mets 2: Bryce Harper homered and tripled, and Danny Espinosa also homered to lift the Washington Nationals over the New York Mets.

Gio Gonzalez (16-6) pitched into the sixth inning, allowing one run and seven hits. Tyler Clippard pitched a perfect ninth for his 27th save in 31 chances.

Jeremy Hefner (2-5) took the loss as the Mets fell for the ninth time in 13 games.

Dodgers 5, Braves 0: Chad Billingsley combined with two relievers on a three-hitter to win his sixth straight start, Luis Cruz homered for the second game in a row and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Atlanta.

Mark Ellis drove in four runs, three with a bases-loaded double in the ninth.

Billingsley (10-9) gave up three hits in seven innings, striking out four and walking two. He is 6-0 since the All-Star break after losing five straight. He reached 10 wins for the sixth straight season.

Cruz homered deep into the left-field seats in the fifth off Mike Minor (6-10) for a 1-0 lead.

Reds 5, Cubs 4: Xavier Paul led off the ninth inning with a pinch-hit triple and Ryan Hanigan followed with a single, lifting the Cincinnati Reds over the Chicago Cubs.

Padres 7, Giants 1: Clayton Richard pitched eight sparkling innings, Cameron Maybin drove in three runs and the San Diego Padres snapped a five-game losing streak by beating San Francisco.

Rockies 3, Marlins 2: Jordan Pacheco homered among his three hits as the banged-up Colorado Rockies slowed down Giancarlo Stanton and beat Miami.

Phillies 8, Brewers 0: Kyle Kendrick pitched three-hit ball for eight innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Milwaukee after waiting out a rare rain delay at Miller Park. — Agencies