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Silvis, IL - Jonathan Byrd came from four shots down with five holes remaining Sunday to win the John Deere Classic and earn a berth in the British Open.

His comeback was made easier by the collapse of Tim Clark, who surrendered a seemingly safe lead down the stretch with a pair of costly bogeys that left him still seeking a long-overdue first PGA Tour win.

Byrd made three birdies in a four-hole stretch from the 14th and shot a five- under 66 to close out his third PGA Tour victory and first since the 2004 B.C. Open.

He finished at 18-under 266, one shot better than Clark, and will make his first-ever start in the British Open next week at Carnoustie.

“I’m going. I don’t have any other plans,” Byrd said, standing on the 18th green before collecting his $738,000 check. “I just have to make a quick trip home to get my passport.”

For Clark, such a trip won’t be necessary. The 2006 Masters runner-up closed with a three-under 68 Sunday to end at 17-under 267, missing the satisfaction of winning yet again on the PGA Tour.

Although he owns three European Tour wins, and two apiece on the Nationwide and Canadian Tours, Clark has failed to break through in 136 events on the PGA Tour.

And counting.

“The biggest disappointment is not being able to play next week,” said Clark, who won $442,800. “I was 13th at Augusta and 17th at the U.S. Open, and I don’t get to go to the British Open, which kind of blows my mind a little bit.”

Overnight-leader Nathan Green made a five-foot par putt at the 18th hole to salvage a tie for third place, finishing with an even-par 71 at TPC Deere Run to join Troy Matteson (66) at 15-under 269.

Carl Pettersson, the only top-50 golfer remaining in the field after Masters champion Zach Johnson missed the cut, had a three-under 68 Sunday and ended alone in fifth place at 14-under 270.

Clark had a four-shot lead after making birdie at the 13th, his fifth birdie of the day — and also his last. Moments later, Byrd made a birdie ahead at the 14th to climb back within three shots.

Soon, he would be clinging to a lead of his own.

Playing in the group ahead of Clark, Byrd knocked his tee shot at the par- three 16th within three feet to set up a birdie that put him at 17-under.

Back at the 15th, Clark sent his approach shot into the rough surrounding a greenside bunker, leaving himself with a tough stance and a lot of work for par. It would be a sign of things to come.

Clark chipped out to 20 feet, then badly missed a par putt way left of the hole to make bogey and fall back to 18-under, suddenly just one shot ahead of Byrd.

He left himself in another dangerous spot after hitting a fat nine-iron into the front bunker at the 16th. But true to his nature as a top South African golfer, Clark was able to blast out to a couple feet to save par.

Byrd made the green in two at the par-five 17th and two-putted from 60 feet for another birdie, tying Clark at 18-under.

When he got to 17, Clark decided to go for the green as well. But he missed well short and ended up in another bunker, this one in the fairway. Left with a plugged ball and an uphill stance at the top of the bunker, he only managed to mash it back into the fairway.

Clark chipped his fourth shot to six feet, a distance where he ranks among the best putters on the PGA Tour. But he slid the curling left-to-right putt just past the edge of the cup to fall one shot back.

He also missed a desperation 75-footer for birdie at the 18th to make it official.

Sitting on a table in the scorer’s tent, Byrd watched it all unfold on a television. The newest member of the British Open field, he was congratulated by his wife and several other people in the room.

“This feels great,” said Byrd, 29, who is now the only American under 30 on the PGA Tour with three wins. “I’ve never played [the British Open], so I’m excited.”

For Clark, who had played in three of the last four British Opens, Sunday marked his third second-place finish on the PGA Tour. He was still battling a neck injury, but said he would have accepted an invite to Carnoustie.

“Certainly if I’m playing as well as I am now, I feel like I would have had a good chance to have a good week and be right up there,” said Clark. “But as it turns out, I don’t get to go.”

Miami, FL - Alonzo Mourning announced that he will play one more season for the Miami Heat.

The Miami Herald reported that the center made the announcement at his charity basketball game Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Mourning indicated that he did not want his career to end with the Heat’s first-round sweep by the Chicago Bulls last year.

“I was truly embarrassed by that outcome,” Mourning was quoted by the newspaper. “It left a sour taste. I just want to redeem myself and try to help this team redeem ourselves. It’s time to end it all on the right note.”

The 37-year old Mourning also stated that the 2007-08 season would be his last.

The former Georgetown star, who has battled kidney ailments in recent years, averaged 8.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 77 regular-season games last season.

In 813 career games, the former All-Star has averaged 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

St. Petersburg, FL - Derek Jeter homered and knocked in three runs, as the Yankees came back to overcome 16 Tampa Bay hits and beat the Devil Rays, 7-6, in the finale of a four-game set at Tropicana Field.

Andy Phillips drove in a pair of runs and scored twice for the Yankees, who have won four of their last five outings to climb within nine games of first- place Boston in the AL East.

Mike Mussina got the start and allowed 11 hits and three runs over six innings. Luis Vizcaino (5-2) was awarded the win despite pitching only a third of an inning, and Mariano Rivera slipped out of trouble in the ninth for his 13th save.

“This was very satisfying,” said Yankees manager Joe Torre. “We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

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Carlos Pena hit a home run and had three RBI for Tampa Bay, which has lost 16 of 18. Edwin Jackson yielded four runs in his six innings of work, and Casey Fossum (5-8) took the loss.

New York scored three runs in the eighth to wipe out a one-run deficit and assume a 7-5 edge. With runners on first and third and one out, Robinson Cano lifted a sacrifice fly to left to knot the game at 5-5. Phillips and Jeter added RBI singles to push two more runs across in the frame. Jeter’s was of the infield variety, as Akinori Iwamura made a nice diving stop at third but was unable to make a clean exchange from glove to hand.

Tampa got a run back in the bottom of the inning on Ty Wigginton’s RBI double, and threatened again in the ninth by putting a pair of runners on with nobody out. Brendan Harris grounded into a double play, however, and Pena popped up to Alex Rodriguez at third to end the game.

Pena and B.J. Upton hit RBI singles in the first inning to stake Tampa to a 2-0 lead, and Carl Crawford’s base hit in the second scored Wigginton for a three-run edge.

The Yankees responded with a four-run fifth, though, to move in front. After Cano singled to center, Phillips hit a fly ball to center that Upton appeared to have a beat on. The ball changed direction in mid-flight, however, and began tailing from right to left and away from the center fielder.

“It was just a product of the bat,” said Tampa manager Joe Maddon. “When you watch from behind home plate the ball takes a left turn off a maple bat…Someone’s going to get hurt. Those bats are dangerous.”

Cano scored and Phillips ended up with a triple. Wil Nieves then doubled to right-center before Jeter belted a two-run homer for a 4-3 New York advantage.

The Devil Rays reclaimed the lead in the seventh courtesy of Pena’s two-out, two-run blast to right.

Game Notes

This was the first start for Jackson against the Yankees…Pena extended his hitting streak to 12 games…Tampa outhit the Yanks 16-10…Attendance was 36,048…The win put the Yankees back above the .500 (45-44) mark.

Seattle, WA - Marcus Thames hit a three-run home run and drove in four as Detroit downed Seattle, 11-7, in the finale of a four-game set at Safeco Field.

The game was a double whammy for Seattle as All-Star center fielder Ichiro Suzuki left in the fifth after he was hit by a fastball from Justin Verlander on the outside of his right knee.

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Suzuki, who on Friday signed a five-year contract extension and was the All- Star MVP, hobbled halfway to first, then stopped and was checked by trainer Rick Griffin and manager John McLaren. He eventually made his way to the bag and remained in the game, but continued to have a slight limp and was lifted moments later after slowly advancing to second on a wild pitch.

Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run home run and drove in three while Curtis Granderson went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored for the Tigers, who have won seven of their last nine games.

Verlander (11-3) got the win as he gave up four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work.

Raul Ibanez drove in two runs while Jose Guillen added a two-run home run for the Mariners, who had won five of six coming into the game.

Jeff Weaver (2-7) absorbed the loss as he gave up seven runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings of work.

“He gets frustrated,” Mariners manager John McLaren said of Weaver. “When he doesn’t do what he is capable of doing he gets down on himself a bit. He’s been throwing the ball real well up until now. It’s just one of those games.”

Trailing 2-0, Detroit got a run back in the third on an RBI single from Thames that scored Granderson.

The Tigers grabbed the lead with a four-spot in the fourth inning. With runners on first and second, Granderson punched a double to right to score Sean Casey. Thames then followed by hitting an 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a 5-2 lead.

“First time he pitched to me he threw a sinker in and he broke my bat,” Thames said. “He tried the same pitch and he left it over the plate a little bit more, didn’t get in like he wanted it to, left it up and I put a good swing on it.”

Seattle got a run back in the fifth as Verlander gave up his second run- scoring wild pitch, which allowed Willie Bloomquist to score and make it a 5-3 game.

Detroit took command of the game in the sixth with three runs. With the bases loaded and no outs, Brandon Morrow’s wild pitch scored Omar Infante. Ordonez followed with a sacrifice fly to score Granderson. After Eric O’Flaherty took over on the hill, Gary Sheffield stole home to make it an 8-3 game.

The Tigers got another run in the seventh on Infante’s two-out, solo home run for a 9-3 lead, but Seattle got the run back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from Ibanez.

Ordonez’s two-run home run in the eighth gave the Tigers an 11-4 lead.

Seattle attempted a comeback in the ninth as Ibanez lifted a sacrifice fly and Guillen followed with a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 11-7, but Adrian Beltre grounded out to end the game.

The Mariners got on the scoreboard in the first inning. Suzuki led off the inning with a single and moved to third when Jose Vidro followed with a single. Ibanez then worked a walk and on ball four Verlander uncorked a wild pitch and Suzuki crossed the plate.

Seattle got another run in the second as a Suzuki groundout scored Jamie Burke for a 2-0 lead.

Game Notes

Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who received a one-game suspension from the league for bumping an umpire while arguing a call during Thursday’s game, was rested for the game. He is appealing his suspension…It was the fourth time this year Verlander received double-digit run support…The last steal of home by a Tiger was on April 11, 1997 when Matt Walbeck stole home against the White Sox…Suzuki’s RBI was his first since June 27…Each team stranded eight runners…Seattle hosts Baltimore for a three-game set starting on Monday…Detroit travels to Minnesota for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday…Seattle designated LHP Jake Woods for assignment following the game.

San Francisco, CA - Barry Bonds lingered in his home run drought and the San Francisco Giants continued to struggle at home against the Dodgers, falling 5-3 on Sunday to endure a three-game sweep.

Bonds, who went 0-for-5, is hitless in his last 20 at-bats. He remains at 751 career homers, four shy of Hank Aaron’s all-time mark. Bonds popped out with runners at the corners in the first, flied out to center in the third, popped out to short with a runner at third to end the fifth, struck out with two runners on to complete the eighth, and popped out to short left field to end the game.

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Bonds’ teammates also had a difficult time coming through in the clutch, as the Giants left 10 men on base to lose at home for the 11th straight time to the Dodgers. The 11-game winning streak at San Francisco is the second- longest in Dodgers history. They won 13 in a row at Candlestick Park in the 1976-77 season.

The current 0-for-20 slump is just shy of Bonds’ career-worst 0-for-23, set during his rookie season in 1986. It’s only the fourth time in his career that he’s gone hitless in five at-bats in consecutive games.

“We certainly know we caught him at a good time,” Dodgers manager Grady Little said of Bonds and his chase to the home run record. “We know he’s at a point where he’s really trying to get it done .He will eventually, but hopefully it’ll be against another team.”

After the game, Bonds was certainly not in a talking mood.

“It’s an embarrassment to me wearing this (expletive) uniform the way I’m playing,” Bonds said. “That’s it, so go away. I’m embarrassed to have this (expletive) uniform on the way I’m performing.”

Giants manager Bruce Bochy understands that his star offensive player is frustrated.

“Everybody goes through it,” Bochy said. “Barry, tough series for him, not getting around it he knows it, we all know it. He’s our go-to-guy. It’s going to take everybody coming through and doing something to help win a ball game. As a club we just didn’t get it done.”

Rafael Furcal tripled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and scored on Juan Pierre’s bunt for Los Angeles, which has beaten the Giants in 15 of the last 19 meetings. Matt Kemp had three hits, an RBI and scored twice, as the Dodgers won their fourth straight overall to keep the lead in the NL West. Russell Martin posted three hits in the win.

Brett Tomko (2-7) allowed four hits and three runs — one earned — over five innings to post his first win since May 9.

Noah Lowry (9-7) had a three-start winning streak broken and had his seven- home winning string snapped, as the lefty surrendered 10 hits and five runs — four earned — over 5 2/3 innings.

Dave Roberts went 3-for-5 and scored twice for the Giants, who lost their fourth in a row.

Kemp singled to left leading off the sixth and scored one out later on Furcal’s hit to center. Pierre then bunted back to the mound to get home the speedy Furcal.

After Bonds failed with two runners on in the seventh, the Giants wasted a bases-loaded chance in the eighth, as Roberts fanned to end that inning.

Takashi Saito retired the side in order in the ninth to notch his 24th save.

Pierre bunted for a hit in the first and scored later in the inning on Jeff Kent’s sacrifice fly.

Bengie Molina’s two-run single boosted the Giants into the lead in the bottom half, but LA went back on top in the fourth as Kemp tripled in a run and scored on an error by Lowry when Tomko bunted.

Ray Durham tripled in Roberts in the fifth.

Game Notes

Bonds hasn’t homered since July 3 at Cincinnati off Aaron Harang. Bonds’ pursuit of history switches to Chicago, as the Giants start a four-game series versus the Cubs Monday before heading to Milwaukee for three next weekend…The Dodgers head home to face Philadelphia for three, beginning Monday…Before the game, the Dodgers placed right-hander Chin-hui Tsao back on the 15-day disabled list with an injured pitching shoulder. The Dodgers also recalled pitcher D.J. Houlton from Triple-A Las Vegas…LA’s Jonathan Broxton recorded two outs, fanning Roberts to end the eighth, and has not allowed a run in a day game this year, spanning 13 2/3 innings…Kemp had five straight hits in the series before grounding out in the eighth inning.

(Sunday, July 15th)

Final Score: St. Louis 10, Philadelphia 2 Albert Pujols homered twice as the Cardinals pounded Philadelphia, 10-2, to hand the Phillies their 10,000th defeat, marking the first team in North American professional sports to hit five digits in the loss column.

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Chris Duncan, Juan Encarnacion, Adam Kennedy and Ryan Ludwick all homered for the Cardinals, who won just their second game in six tries. Adam Wainwright (8-7) allowed six hits with five strikeouts and two walks over seven innings for St. Louis.

Michael Bourn homered for the Phillies, who, after pounding out a season-high 23 hits in a 13-3 rout of the defending world champions on Friday, racked up 14 hits and three home runs en route to a 10-4 triumph Saturday afternoon.

However, it was a much different outcome on Sunday for the Phillies, who have found plenty of ways to flounder to 10,000 defeats since starting play in 1883.

Adam Eaton (8-6) allowed six runs on 10 hits with a walk and a strikeout over just four-plus frames.

“I think most of us in here have totaled in our entire lives 10,000 losses,” Eaton said. “Obviously, when you’re 125 years in existence as an organization, by far more than anybody else in professional sports, I think you should be the first team to get to a great milestone like that.”

The Cardinals got going with two runs in the second. Former Phillie Scott Rolen lined a lead-off double, Encarnacion bunted him over to third, and Kennedy doubled him home. Yadier Molina’s groundout moved Kennedy to third, from where he scored on a Wainwright single.

St. Louis put up another run in the third. Skip Schumaker led off with a double, and later scored on a Rolen groundout.

The Cardinals tacked on three more runs in the fifth. Schumaker led off with another double before Pujols blasted a two-run shot to center field on a 1-0 pitch. Two pitches later, Duncan sent the ball to the same place.

St. Louis made it a rout with three runs in the seventh capped by another segment of back-to-back homers. Brian Sanches started from the mound, and gave up a homer to Pujols on his fifth pitch of the inning. Encarnacion next homered to left field on the first pitch he saw with two outs, and Kennedy took a 2-2 pitch to right.

Pinch-hitter Ludwick’s lead-off homer in the eighth to center field on a full count totaled six homers on the night for St. Louis.

Bourn erased the shutout in the ninth by blasting his first major league homer, off reliever Andy Cavazos’ fourth pitch to lead off the frame. The Phillies grabbed one more run when Chris Coste reached on a fielding error by Kennedy and later scored on Chase Utley’s double.

Game Notes

Pujols hit his third homer in two games…The Phillies had fought off the milestone three straight times, as the club bested Colorado last Sunday after being dealt loss No. 9,999 by the Rockies on July 7…Philadelphia has still taken seven of its last nine meetings with St. Louis. The Phillies beat the Cardinals twice in a three-game series at Busch Stadium earlier this year.

(Sunday, July 15th)

Final Score: Cleveland 5, Kansas City 3

Cleveland, OH - Fausto Carmona hurled seven solid innings, and Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko both homered as Cleveland edged Kansas City, 5-3, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Jacobs Field. Carmona (11-4) allowed just two runs on eight hits for the Indians, who won for just the third time in eight games. Hafner finished 3-for-4 and Garko was 2-for-3 in the game. Jason Smith hit a solo home run for the Royals, who remained mired in last place in the AL Central. Billy Butler and Ross Gload also drove in a run apiece for Kansas City. Final Score: Baltimore 5, Chicago 3

Baltimore, MD - Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson each hit solo homers as the Baltimore Orioles downed the Chicago White Sox, 5-3, in the finale of a four-game set at Camden Yards. Aubrey Huff hit a two-run triple and Nick Markakis drove in a run for the Orioles, who took the last three games of the set after dropping the opener. Garrett Olson (1-0) picked up his first win in the majors as he gave up two runs on six hits in five innings of work. Jermaine Dye hit a pair of solo home runs while Jose Contreras (5-11) continued to struggle on the hill as he gave up five runs on 10 hits in six innings of action for the White Sox, who have lost three straight after a three-game winning streak. Contreras has lost six of his last seven starts and four straight.

Final Score: New York 7, Tampa Bay 6

St. Petersburg, FL - Derek Jeter homered and knocked in three runs, as the Yankees came back to overcome 16 Tampa Bay hits and beat the Devil Rays, 7-6, in the finale of a four-game set at Tropicana Field. Andy Phillips drove in a pair of runs and scored twice for the Yankees, who have won four of their last five outings to climb within nine games of first- place Boston in the AL East. Mike Mussina got the start and allowed 11 hits and three runs over six innings. Luis Vizcaino (5-2) was awarded the win despite pitching only a third of an inning, and Mariano Rivera slipped out of trouble in the ninth for his 13th save. Carlos Pena hit a home run and had three RBI for Tampa Bay, which has lost 16 of 18. Edwin Jackson yielded four runs in his six innings of work, and Casey Fossum (5-8) took the loss.

Final Score: Toronto 2, Boston 1

Boston, MA - Jesse Litsch scattered nine hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings, as Toronto edged Boston, 2-1, in the finale of a four-game set at Fenway Park. Lyle Overbay finished 3-for-3 and scored a run for the Blue Jays, who earned a split in the series and have won three of five. Royce Clayton was 2-for-4 with an RBI single and Aaron Hill drove in a run and scored once. Josh Beckett (12-3) took the loss despite allowing seven hits and two runs over eight strong innings, fanning eight and walking two. David Ortiz went 2-for-4 and knocked in a run for the Red Sox, who have dropped five of their last seven. Coco Crisp and Manny Ramirez picked up two hits apiece.

Final Score: Minnesota 4, Oakland 3

Minneapolis, MN - Joe Mauer drove in the game-winning run in the ninth as the Minnesota Twins completed a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 4-3 win at the Metrodome. With Joe Kennedy on the mound for Oakland, Luis Castillo led off the inning with a triple to the gap in right-center. Jason Bartlett then worked a walk and Mauer followed with a single up the middle to score Castillo and end the game. Mauer finished the game 3-for-4, Nick Punto drove in a pair of runs and Justin Morneau hit a solo home run for the Twins, who have won six of their last eight games. Pat Neshek (4-1) got the win for pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Boof Bonser started on the mound and gave up three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. Travis Buck drove in two runs while Eric Chavez hit a solo home run for the Athletics, who have dropped a season- high seven consecutive games. Kennedy (2-8) dropped his fourth straight decision for giving up the game-winning run. Danny Haren had a good start on the mound as he gave up just two runs on seven hits in six innings of work. Final Score: Texas 5, LA Angels of Anaheim 4 (11 innings)

Anaheim, CA - Mark Teixeira smacked a lead-off home run in the 11th inning that lifted the Texas Rangers over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 5-4, to avoid a sweep in the final matchup of the three-game series. With the score knotted at four, the Rangers got the winning run in the top of the 11th on Teixeira’s homer to right field on a full count off reliever Justin Speier (0-1). Ramon Vazquez finished 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Rangers, who won just their second game in six tries. Brandon McCarthy, who has still not tasted victory since May 20th, allowed four runs - three earned - on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings. C.J. Wilson (1-1) got the final out of the 10th, and Eric Gagne tossed a perfect 11th for his 13th save of the season. Chone Figgins went 3-for-4 with two RBI and also scored a run for Anaheim, which has split its last six games. Figgins also stole three bases to break the Angels’ record for all-time steals of 186 previously held by Rangers first base coach Gary Pettis, who tipped his cap toward Figgins from the dugout after the record- breaker. Jered Weaver, looking to snap out of a personal two-game losing skid, allowed two unearned runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts over seven innings for LA.

Final Score: Detroit 11, Seattle 7

Seattle, WA - Marcus Thames hit a three-run home run and drove in four as Detroit downed Seattle, 11-7, in the finale of a four-game set at Safeco Field. The game was a double whammy for Seattle as All-Star center fielder Ichiro Suzuki left in the fifth after he was hit by a fastball from Justin Verlander on the outside of his right knee. Suzuki, who on Friday signed a five-year contract extension and was the All-Star MVP, hobbled halfway to first, then stopped and was checked by trainer Rick Griffin and manager John McLaren. He eventually made his way to the bag and remained in the game, but continued to have a slight limp and was lifted moments later after slowly advancing to second on a wild pitch. Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run home run and drove in three while Curtis Granderson went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored for the Tigers, who have won seven of their last nine games. Verlander (11-3) got the win as he gave up four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work. Raul Ibanez drove in two runs while Jose Guillen added a two-run home run for the Mariners, who had won five of six coming into the game. Jeff Weaver (2-7) absorbed the loss as he gave up seven runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings of work.

Final Score: Florida 5, Washington 3

Miami, FL - Miguel Cabrera’s 20th and 21st home runs of the season paced Florida over Washington, 5-3, in the finale of a three-game series. Scott Olsen (7-7) allowed six hits and two runs over five innings, although he walked five and struck out only two. Josh Willingham also homered and Hanley Ramirez knocked in a run with a double for the Marlins, who took two of three in the series and have won five of seven. Alfredo Amezaga collected two hits and Miguel Olivo added an RBI single. Jason Simontacchi (6-7) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits and five runs, fanning four and walking four. Dmitri Young drove in two for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row after a three-game win streak. Ronnie Belliard had two hits and scored a run and Felipe Lopez knocked in the other run with a single.

Final Score: Atlanta 5, Pittsburgh 1

Atlanta, GA - Buddy Carlyle hurled eight brilliant innings as Atlanta downed Pittsburgh, 5-1, and finished a three-game sweep of the Pirates at Turner Field. Carlyle (4-2) allowed just one run on four hits for the Braves, who won their fourth straight. The right-hander did not walk a batter and fanned four. Edgar Renteria finished 4-for-5 and drove in a run for Atlanta. Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur also drove in a run apiece for the Braves. Freddy Sanchez accounted for all the Pirates offense with a solo home run. Paul Maholm (5-12) was the hard-luck loser for Pittsburgh, which has lost four of five games. The starter allowed three runs — two earned — on eight hits in six innings of work. Final Score: New York 5, Cincinnati 2

Flushing, NY - Oliver Perez tossed six effective innings in his return from the disabled list, and Jose Reyes crushed a two-run home run as the New York Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds, 5-2, in the finale of a four- game set at Shea Stadium. Perez (8-6) allowed just two runs and six hits, walked three and fanned six in his first start since June 26th. The left- hander had been hindered by stiffness in his lower back following that outing, then was placed on the DL on July 3, retroactive to June 27. The 25-year-old improved his record to 7-3 in 15 career starts against Cincinnati. It was also his first start against the Reds since being traded to New York from Pittsburgh last July. Reyes finished with two hits and also scored a run for the Mets, who have won three of four and five of their last eight games overall. Lastings Milledge also added a two-run double. Kyle Lohse (5-11) allowed five runs and six hits, with three walks and three strikeouts in just 4 2/3 innings for Cincinnati, which dropped three of four in the series after coming in on a four-game win streak. The right-handed Lohse had rolled into the All-Star break with a 2-0 record and a 1.13 ERA in his previous two starts, but couldn’t carry that momentum into New York. With the loss, Lohse also fell to 2-8 in his last 11 starts away from home. Adam Dunn hit a solo home run, his 25th long ball of the year, and Brandon Phillips also knocked in a run for the Reds.

Final Score: Milwaukee 4, Colorado 3

Milwaukee, WI - Pinch-hitter Kevin Mench had an RBI triple, then scored on a wild pitch with what proved to be the deciding run, as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Colorado Rockies, 4-3, in the finale of a three- game series at Miller Park. Corey Hart had two hits and knocked in a run, while pitcher Jeff Suppan helped himself with an RBI single for Milwaukee, which has won two straight following a three-game skid. Suppan allowed two runs and five hits, walked three and fanned five over six-plus innings. Matt Wise (3-1) notched the win after relieving Suppan in the seventh. Rockies starter Aaron Cook yielded two runs on four hits, with a pair of walks and four strikeouts. Jeremy Affeldt (4-2) took the loss. Brad Hawpe added a solo homer and Kaz Matsui had two hits and knocked in a run for Colorado, which has dropped two straight and three of its last four games overall.

Final Score: Chicago 7, Houston 6

Chicago, IL - Derrek Lee went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer, as the Chicago Cubs completed the three-game sweep of the Houston Astros with a 7-6 win at Wrigley Field. Ryan Theriot and Angel Pagan also went deep for the Cubs, who have won five of their last seven. Theriot’s solo shot in the fourth proved to be the difference, and was the last run that either team would score. Jason Marquis got the start and was tagged for six runs in just four innings of work. The bullpen combined for five innings of shutout ball from there, however, with Michael Wuertz (2-2) picking up the win and Bob Howry earning his fifth save of the season. Wandy Rodriguez (6-8) allowed seven runs in just 3 1/3 frames for Houston, which has dropped six of eight. The Astros bullpen was just as effective as Chicago’s, twirling 5 2/3 shutout innings, but it wasn’t enough. Lance Berkman knocked in three runs in defeat.

Final Score: Los Angeles 5, San Francisco 3

San Francisco, CA - Barry Bonds lingered in his home run drought and the San Francisco Giants continued to struggle at home against the Dodgers, falling 5-3 on Sunday to endure a three-game sweep. Bonds, who went 0-for-5, is hitless in his last 20 at-bats. He remains at 751 career homers, four shy of Hank Aaron’s all-time mark. Bonds’ teammates also had a difficult time coming through in the clutch, as the Giants left 10 men on base to lose at home for the 11th straight time to the Dodgers. The 11- game winning streak at San Francisco is the second-longest in Dodgers history. They won 13 in a row at Candlestick Park in the 1976-77 season. The current 0-for-20 slump is just shy of Bonds’ career-worst 0-for-23, set during his rookie season in 1986. It’s only the fourth time in his career that he’s gone hitless in five at-bats in consecutive games. Rafael Furcal tripled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and scored on Juan Pierre’s bunt for Los Angeles, which has beaten the Giants in 15 of the last 19 meetings. Matt Kemp had three hits, an RBI and scored twice, as the Dodgers won their fourth straight overall to keep the lead in the NL West. Brett Tomko (2-7) allowed four hits and three runs — one earned — over five innings to post his first win since May 9. Noah Lowry (9-7) had a three-start winning streak broken and had his seven-home winning string snapped, as the lefty surrendered 10 hits and five runs — four earned — over 5 2/3 innings. Dave Roberts went 3-for-5 and scored twice for the Giants, who lost their fourth in a row. Final Score: San Diego 4, Arizona 0

Phoenix, AZ - Milton Bradley finished 2-for-5 with two RBI and Justin Germano pitched 6 1/3 innings of four-hit shutout ball as San Diego blanked Arizona, 4-0, to salvage the finale of a three-game set at Chase Field. Germano (6-3) struck out four and walked three en route to halting a personal three-game losing streak. He also helped his cause with an RBI single. Brian Giles was 3-for-4 with a run scored and Mike Cameron drove in a run for the Padres, who halted their three-game slide. Brandon Webb (8-7) was battered for 11 hits and four runs — three earned — in 5 2/3 innings, despite striking out 10. Chris Young picked up two hits for the D-Backs, who have dropped six of eight.

Final Score: St. Louis 10, Philadelphia 2

Philadelphia, PA - Albert Pujols homered twice as the Cardinals pounded Philadelphia, 10-2, to hand the Phillies their 10,000th defeat, marking the first team in North American professional sports to hit five digits in the loss column. Chris Duncan, Juan Encarnacion, Adam Kennedy and Ryan Ludwick all homered for the Cardinals, who won just their second game in six tries. Adam Wainwright (8-7) allowed six hits with five strikeouts and two walks over seven innings for St. Louis. Michael Bourn homered for the Phillies, who, after pounding out a season-high 23 hits in a 13-3 rout of the defending world champions on Friday, racked up 14 hits and three home runs en route to a 10-4 triumph Saturday afternoon. However, it was a much different outcome on Sunday for the Phillies, who have found plenty of ways to flounder to 10,000 defeats since starting play in 1883. Adam Eaton (8-6) allowed six runs on 10 hits with a walk and a strikeout over just four-plus frames.