Diamondbacks miss another chance to clinch playoff spot

Mike Kinkade and the Los Angeles Dodgers waited until the end to win it. Because of them, a couple of other teams will have to wait a little longer, too.

Kinkade delivered a pinch-hit single with two outs in the ninth inning to drive in the go-ahead run, and the Dodgers won at San Diego 4-3 on Sunday.

The Dodgers stayed two games behind San Francisco in the NL wild-card race because the Giants beat Milwaukee 3-1. Both teams have six games left.

"It would have made it a lot easier on them if we'd have lost this game and fallen three behind," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said.

The Dodgers also prevented the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks from clinching a playoff spot. Arizona lost 11-7 at Colorado.

Giants 3, Brewers 1

Jeff Kent and Benito Santiago hit solo homers in the ninth and San Francisco completed a three-game sweep at Miller Park.

The Giants have won five of six. San Francisco now returns to Pacific Bell Park for five games, beginning Tuesday against San Diego -- if necessary, the Giants will play a makeup game at Atlanta on Sept. 30.

Rockies 11,

Diamondbacks 7

Todd Helton hit a go-ahead homer and drove in five runs as Colorado beat Arizona to complete a three-game sweep at Coors Field.

Larry Walker reached 100 RBI for the fifth time in his career.

Phillies 4, Reds 3

In the final game at Cinergy Field, Philadelphia spoiled the closing ceremonies.

Former Reds manager Sparky Anderson threw the ceremonial first pitch to Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, who starred when the park opened as Riverfront Stadium in 1970.

After the game, the Reds introduced 52 luminaries from their Riverfront days. Missing from the procession was Pete Rose, who got record-setting hit No. 4,192 at the stadium in 1985 but is banned from baseball for life.

One red rose was left on the field behind home plate during the game in honor of Rose. After it was over, former Reds pitcher Tom Browning got a can of red spray paint and put Rose's No. 14 on the mound. The crowd of 40,964 chanted "Pete! Pete!" as home plate was dug up and driven next door to Great American Ball Park.

Braves 4, Marlins 1

Greg Maddux matched Cy Young as the only pitchers to win at least 15 games in 15 straight seasons as Atlanta defeated Florida at Turner Field.

John Smoltz tied the NL record with his 53rd save. Randy Myers (1993) and Trevor Hoffman (1998) share the mark, while Bobby Thigpen holds the major league record of 57.

Maddux earned his 272nd career victory, moving the four-time NL Cy Young winner within one win of Red Ruffing and 28th all-time.

Cardinals 7, Astros 3

Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer, leading Chuck Finley and St. Louis past Houston at Busch Stadium.

Expos 5, Mets 1

Vladimir Guerrero hit his 38th homer and stole his 40th base as Montreal won at Shea Stadium.

Pirates 5, Cubs 4

Kris Benson won his fifth straight decision as Pittsburgh defeated Chicago.

Fred McGriff became the first player with a 30-homer season for five teams. The Cubs slugger hit his 478th career home run -- the shot at PNC Park gave him homers in a record 42 major league stadiums, one more than Cleveland's Ellis Burks.