Mayberry powers Phils to win

PHILADELPHIA — Missing four regulars, the Philadelphia Phillies turned to their bench and bullpen.

John Mayberry Jr. hit a two-run homer, David Herndon tossed three scoreless innings in relief and the Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 Thursday night in a matchup of division leaders.

The major league-leading Phillies took two of three in a potential playoff preview, improving to 14-1-1 in their last 16 series.

A thunderstorm delayed the game for 2 hours, 17 minutes after three innings. Neither starting pitcher returned when play resumed.

Herndon (1-2) gave up one hit and struck out four to earn his second career win. Ryan Madson finished for his 23rd save in 24 tries.

"He did a great job," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said of Herndon. "He did super."

Herndon was a starter in the minors, but he's pitched out of the bullpen in his two seasons with the Phillies.

Ian Kennedy (15-4) gave up three runs and five hits in three innings, failing to become the NL's first 16-game winner. He had won his previous seven starts.

"He just made a couple of mistakes,"Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "The pitch to Mayberry was down the middle and he blasted it."

Philadelphia, which leads Atlanta by 8½ games in the East, is a season-best 38 games over .500 and has reached 80 wins in the second-fastest time in franchise history. The Phillies did it in 121 games in 1976.

Braves 1, Giants 0

In Atlanta, Mike Minor pitched six crisp innings to outduel Tim Lincecum, and the Braves' Chipper Jones homered for the only run.

Dodgers 5, Brewers 1

In Milwaukee, Clayton Kershaw throttled the streaking Brewers with eight scoreless innings and Rod Barajas homered, leading Los Angeles to the victory.

Nationals 3, Reds 1

In Washington, Jonny Gomes hit a two-run single against his former team and Jordan Zimmermann pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning to lead the hosts to a victory over Cincinnati.

Padres 3, Marlins 1

In San Diego, Tim Stauffer tossed seven strong innings to rebound from his worst start of the season and lead the Padres to the win.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 8, Twins 4

In Minneapolis, CC Sabathia stopped his two-start losing streak with nine strikeouts over seven innings, and New York hit three home runs to support him in a victory over Minnesota.

The Twins' Tsuyoshi Nishioka was 2-for-4, scored once and knocked in a run.

Red Sox 4, Royals 3

In Kansas City, Dustin Pedroia drove in three runs with a pair of well-timed singles, Josh Beckett survived a shaky start to go seven innings and Boston got back on the winning track.

Indians 4, White Sox 2

In Chicago, Justin Masterson pitched six effective innings, Kosuke Fukudome had a tiebreaking RBI triple and Cleveland inched closer to the top of the AL Central with a victory over the White Sox.

Fukudome finished 3-for-4 and scored a pair of runs.

Angels 2, Rangers 1

In Anaheim, rookie Mark Trumbo hit a game-ending two-run homer down the left-field line, and the Angels beat Texas to avoid a four-game sweep.

Blue Jays 7, Athletics 0

In Oakland, Ricky Romero pitched a three-hitter to extend his career-high winning streak to five games, Colby Rasmus homered and scored three times and Toronto beat the Athletics.

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