PHILADELPHIA — Steve Finley streaked home to score the tie-breaking run in the seventh inning on a disputed play that led to Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa's ejection, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Phillies 4-3 Saturday.
The Phillies put a runner on third base with one out in the ninth but could not score the tying run against Byung-Hyun Kim.
The NL West-leading Diamondbacks began the day with a 1 1/2-game lead over San Francisco. Philadelphia, which trailed Atlanta by one game in the NL East, has lost seven of nine.
With the score tied at 1, Arizona loaded the bases with one out in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Greg Colbrunn hit a slow chopper and third baseman Tomas Perez charged the ball, barehanded it and made a strong throw home.
Plate umpire Bill Miller ruled Steve Finley had beaten the throw. Bowa argued the call and, after the inning was over, was ejected by Miller.
CUBS 6, CARDINALS 4: Jon Lieber pitched neatly into the ninth inning and Fred McGriff homered and drove in three runs as Chicago held off St. Louis.
The Cardinals rallied for two runs in the ninth, but Tom Gordon struck out Edgar Renteria on a full-count pitch with the bases loaded for his 26th save.
Chicago pulled within 3 1/2 games behind Houston in the NL Central race, with the Cardinals another game behind the Cubs. Houston played at Pittsburgh later Saturday.
METS 3, GIANTS 2 (11): Steve Trachsel, who gave up Mark McGwire's record-setting 62nd homer three years ago, didn't help Barry Bonds gain on Big Mac's mark of 70.
Trachsel tied his career high with 11 strikeouts, and New York went on to beat San Francisco on Rey Ordonez's RBI single in the 11th inning.
DODGERS 8, BRAVES 7: Shawn Green had two RBIs in Los Angeles' six-run fifth inning, and hit his 41st homer in the ninth as the Dodgers held on to beat Atlanta.
The Dodgers won their third straight and fourth in five games to keep Atlanta reeling at home. The Braves, who maintained a one-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East, have lost 14 of their last 21 at Turner Field.
PIRATES 8, ASTROS 2: Aramis Ramirez hit a grand slam in a six-run Pittsburgh first inning, and Todd Ritchie pitched 8 1/3 effective innings.
The Astros, who had won seven of eight overall and five in a row over the Pirates, saw their NL Central lead over Chicago cut to three games. The Cubs beat St. Louis 6-4.
BREWERS 5, ROCKIES 4: Lou Collier's two-run, pinch-hit home run in the seventh lifted Milwaukee over Colorado.
Collier's home run — his first of the year and only the third pinch-hit homer by the Brewers this season — came on a 1-0 pitch from reliever Gabe White (1-7) with two outs. Richie Sexson, who had doubled, also scored.
REDS 4, EXPOS 2: Chris Reitsma came within one out of his first career shutout, and Adam Dunn hit a 420-foot homer to lead Cincinnati over Montreal.
Reitsma, who allowed five hits in 8 2/3 innings, allowed a two-run homer to Orlando Cabrera with two outs in the ninth.
Reitsma (6-13), who grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and holds both Canadian and American citizenship, struck out four and didn't walk a batter in his first win as a starter since June 20. He was 0-7 in his last 10 starts.
PADRES 7, MARLINS 1: Bubba Trammell hit a grand slam home run, and Junior Herndon allowed one run in five-plus innings as San Diego snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Florida.
Herndon (2-2), making his fifth career start, allowed one run and six hits, struck out one and walked three in 5 1/3 innings.