Pittsburgh Downs Struggling Phillies

National League

Orlando Merced drove in three runs and Jeff King had a two-run double Thursday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Philadelphia 6-4, the Phillies’ 12th loss in 13 games.

Merced hit a two-run homer in the third off Russ Springer (2-9) to help the Pirates win their fourth straight. Dan Miceli (2-6) won for the first time in four starts since he joined to rotation just before the All-Star break. Francisco Cordova pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save.

Benito Santiago was 3 for 3 with three RBIs for the Phillies, hitting a two-run homer in the second and a run-scoring single in the fourth. Gregg Jefferies homered in the sixth.

Giants 4, Braves 3

San Francisco

Allen Watson took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning before needing relief help, and San Francisco beat Atlanta.

Watson (7-8), returning from a ligament strain in his left elbow that had sidelined him since July 2, gave up a double to Marquis Grissom to start the game and then retired the next 20 batters.

Rod Beck closed for his 19th save.

Expos 4, Cardinals 2

St. Louis

Rookie Ugueth Urbina and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as Montreal beat St. Louis, the Cardinals’ fourth straight loss.

Urbina (5-3), a 22-year-old right-hander, gave up three hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Rojas pitched 1-1/3 innings for his 16th save.

Dodgers 6, Marlins 3

Miami

Eric Karros hit a three-run homer in the first inning to lead Los Angeles past Florida.

Pedro Astacio (5-7), who took a five-hitter into the ninth, wound up allowing three runs and seven hits in 8-1/3 innings. After Devon White’s two-run homer, Antonio Osuna relieved and gave up a hit. Todd Worrell then got two outs for his 25th save, fanning Alex Arias to end the game with two runners on.

Cubs 10, Rockies 8

Denver

Mark Grace drove in four runs and scored the tiebreaker on a wild pitch in the ninth inning as Chicago stopped Colorado’s 11-game winning streak at Coors Field.

Leo Gomez homered for Chicago, which had 17 hits.

Clearing the bases

Third baseman Tim Wallach, cut by California earlier this week, rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers also placed knuckleballer Tom Candiotti on the disabled list because of a bruised right elbow and recalled pitcher Darren Dreifort from Triple-A Albuquerque. … San Francisco shortstop Shawon Dunston left the game after making a leaping grab of Rafael Belliard’s third-inning line drive. Dunston fell on his right hand as he made the catch. X-rays were negative and he was listed as day-to-day with a wrist sprain.