Michael Lorenzen picked up a win in relief, played center in the ninth and pounded a two-run homer in the Cincinnati Reds’ 8-5 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies. The series concludes this afternoon in Cincinnati.
Elsewhere in the National League: Kevin Pillar hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 9-8 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The series concludes today.
The Cardinals lead the Chicago Cubs by 2 ½ games in the NL Central. The Cubs are back in action tonight at Milwaukee.
The Atlanta Braves begin a weekend series hosting the Washington Nationals this evening. The Braves lead the Nats by seven games in the NL East and have won six games in a row.