Associated Press
The National League roundup …
PITTSBURGH ó Jeff Karstens allowed one run in seven-plus innings, Brandon Wood homered and Pittsburgh won its third consecutive game, 5-1 over Houston on Tuesday night.
Pittsburgh (45-41) improved to four games over .500 this late in a season for the first time since 1992, the teamís most recent winning season before a major North American professional sports record 18 straight losing seasons.
The Pirates did not win their 45th game last season until Sept. 3.
Clint Barmes went 2 for 4 with a homer for Houston, which has lost five straight and 10 of 11.
Karstens (7-4) allowed seven hits and struck out three.
Matt Diaz had three hits and Neil Walker and Lyle Overbay two hits and two runs each for the Pirates, who have won four of five and 10 of 14.
Phillies 14, Marlins 2
MIAMI ó Ryan Howard had four hits and four RBIs for Philadelphia.
Marlins manager Jack McKeon opted to walk Howard with a runner on first and the game tied 0-0 in the third. The Phillies scored five times in the inning and when the Marlins pitched to Howard an inning later, he hit his 18th homer.
Raul Ibanez hit his 10th homer and drove in four runs for the Phillies, who achieved season highs in runs and hits (18).
Cole Hamels (10-4) allowed two runs in eight innings to join teammate Roy Halladay as a 10-game winner.
Cardinals 8, Reds 1
ST. LOUIS ó Matt Holliday homered twice hours after being picked to represent the National League in the Home Run Derby and Jaime Garcia had another stingy home outing for St. Louis.
The Cardinals activated Albert Pujols from the 15-day disabled list before the game but did not use him.
Nationals 3, Cubs 2
WASHINGTON ó Second baseman Jeff Bakerís incredibly wayward throw gave Washington two runs in the first inning, and Ross Detwiler won his season debut.
Diamondbacks 7, Brewers 3
MILWAUKEE ó Arizona’s Justin Upton homered after learning he had been snubbed for the Home Run Derby.
Gerardo Parra also homered for the Diamondbacks, who built a six-run lead early and improved to 3-2 on this 10-game road trip before hosting the All-Star game next Tuesday.
Zach Duke (2-3) tossed seven effective innings to win for the first time in 12 starts in Milwaukee and David Hernandez picked up his fifth save.
Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder left off Upton ó who has 14 homers ó among his picks as NL derby captain. Fielder homered to raise his NL-best RBI total to 71 and Corey Hart hit his seco