Dodgers rally past Diamondbacks 6-5

LOS ANGELES -- Adrian Beltre's two-run single capped a three-run rally in the 11th inning and gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a huge 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Randy Johnson outpitched Kevin Brown in a marquee matchup and was three outs from his 20th victory, but the Dodgers came from behind twice in the late innings to win for just the second time in eight games.

Johnson, who leads the majors in ERA and strikeouts, gave up a two-run homer to Paul Lo Duca that tied it at 3 in the ninth.

Danny Bautista's leadoff homer in the 11th snapped the tie, and the Diamondbacks took a 5-3 lead on an RBI groundout by Craig Counsell.

Eric Gagne (5-7) got two outs for the victory as the third-place Dodgers pulled within three games of NL West-leading Arizona.

Mike Koplove (0-1) was the losing pitcher.

METS 7, BRAVES 3

NEW YORK -- Robin Ventura went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs as the Mets gave New York a pennant race to cheer about.

The surging Mets have won five straight since baseball resumed following the terrorist attacks that devastated New York and the nation to move within 3 1/2 games of Atlanta in the NL East.

The Mets took advantage of an injury to Greg Maddux and a strong start by Steve Trachsel (10-12) to beat the Braves for the second straight night.

Maddux left the game after two batters with a hyperextended right elbow, but he is not expected to miss a start.

Armando Benitez got his 41st save in 43 chances.

Odalis Perez (6-8) took the loss.

MARLINS 3, PHILLIES 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Derrek Lee broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-out double off Jose Santiago (2-4), leading Florida over Philadelphia.

The Phillies had won six of seven. The Marlins, 3-12 against the Phillies this season, had lost eight straight at Veterans Stadium since last Sept. 16.

Matt Clement (9-10) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. Antonio Alfonseca finished with a perfect ninth for his 27th save in 32 chances.

ASTROS 8, CUBS 4

HOUSTON (AP) -- Orlando Merced hit a three-run triple off Kevin Tapani (9-13), and Jeff Bagwell had a two-run double in a six-run fifth inning as Houston rallied to beat Chicago.

The comeback kept the Astros 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place St. Louis in the NL Central.

Chicago's four-game winning streak came to an end, and the Cubs dropped 3 1/2 games behind the Cardinals in the wild card race.

REDS 3, BREWERS 1

MILWAUKEE -- Adam Dunn became the first Cincinnati rookie to hit 15 homers since Gary Redus in 1982, helping the Reds beat Milwaukee.

Dmitri Young and Todd Walker also hit solo shots for Cincinnati, which sent the Brewers to their seventh straight loss.

-- From wire reports