NL roundup: Dodgers plunder Pirates with sweep

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LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning, Ronnie Belliard added a solo shot and Los Angeles beat Pittsburgh 3-1 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep of the Pirates.

Los Angeles began the day with a five-game lead over Colorado in the NL West — its largest since being 51/2 games up on the Rockies on Sept. 1.

Kemp sent an 0-2 pitch from Kevin Hart (1-6) over the fence for his 24th homer, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead en route to their 38th comeback win of the season.

Hiroki Kuroda (7-6) gave up one run and six hits, struck out seven and walked none in his third start since returning from the disabled list after being hit on the right side of his head by a comebacker at Arizona on Aug. 15. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his 35th save.

Hart allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings, losing his fifth consecutive start.

PHILLIES 6, NATIONALS 1: At Philadelphia, Joe Blanton threw six scoreless innings and Jayson Werth hit a grand slam for Philadelphia. Blanton (10-7) allowed five hits and struck out seven. The Phillies were one out away from recording three consecutive shutouts for the first time in 40 years when Willie Harris singled in a run off Tyler Walker. The NL East-leading Phillies reduced their magic number for clinching their third straight division title to 11 with 18 games remaining.

MARLINS 5, CARDINALS 2: At St. Louis, Josh Johnson gave up one run and nine hits over six innings and Cody Ross had three hits and drove in two runs for Florida, which has won 10 of 14. Johnson (15-4) struck out five in his 23rd quality start of the season. Marlins closer Leo Nunez came in with one out and two on. He hit Ryan Ludwick and Albert Pujols to force in a run before getting Matt Holliday to hit into a game-ending double play for his 22nd save.

PADRES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 5 (10 INNINGS): At San Diego, Everth Cabrera's RBI single in the bottom of 10th gave San Diego the victory. Cabrera's third hit of the game was a grounder into right off Yusmeiro Petit (3-10). Justin Upton had a career-high five hits for Arizona and fell a home run short of the cycle.

REDS 6, ASTROS 5: At Cincinnati, Joey Votto scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning and Cincinnati overcame Jeff Keppinger's first career multihomer game. Jared Burton (1-0) retired all five batters he faced for the win. Francisco Cordero worked the ninth for his 37th save.