Phils keep Mets' spiral downward

PHILADELPHIA — Joe Blanton pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning and Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley each homered off Johan Santana, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-0 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rival.

The Phillies had lost 12 of 15 and returned home after being swept by the Atlanta Braves but took advantage of the injury-ravaged Mets to earn their first sweep at home since taking three straight from the Nationals May 29-31.

The defending World Series Champions pushed the third-place Mets four games back in the NL East, handing them their eighth loss in 11 games. The Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates to remain a game back in the division.

ASTROS 7, GIANTS 1: At San Francisco, Roy Oswalt pitched eight solid innings in the Astros' victory over the Giants.

Miguel Tejada, Hunter Pence and Jason Michaels each hit solo home runs for the Astros, who had been shut out in their previous two games against the Giants.

Oswalt (5-4) gave up three hits, struck out six and walked one as he improved to 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA over his last four starts.

DODGERS 7, PADRES 6: At San Diego, James Loney led off the 13th inning with a homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a win over the San Diego Padres.

Loney hit his sixth homer of the season into the right-field seats off Edward Mujica (2-4) to help the Dodgers win after squandering a 6-0 lead.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, ROCKIES 3: At Denver, Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer and Felipe Lopez broke a tie game with an RBI single in the seventh, lifting the Diamondbacks over the Rockies.

It's the second straight game the Diamondbacks rallied late for the victory, and gives them their first series win since mid-June at Kansas City.

NATIONALS 5, BRAVES 3: At Washington, Scott Olsen pitched into the ninth inning, newly acquired Nyjer Morgan had three hits and the Nationals beat the Braves for their second straight victory.

Olsen (2-4) allowed three runs and eight hits over 8 2/3 innings, prevailing for the first time since returning June 28 from the 15-day disabled list after a bout with left shoulder tendinitis.