CINCINNATI (AP) - Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman reached 102 mph (164 kph) during one perfect inning Tuesday as Cincinnati beat Milwaukee to wrap up the best August by any team in the majors.
The NL Central leaders moved a season-high seven games ahead of St. Louis. The Reds haven't led by so many games since 1995, the last time they reached the playoffs.
Chapman joined the Reds' bullpen and matched the hype his first time out, throwing four pitches clocked at 100 mph (160 kph) or better. The Reds called up the hard-throwing lefty, hoping he can add some sizzle to their September — and beyond.
The Reds pulled away from St. Louis by going 19-8 in August, the best mark in the majors.
Joey Votto drove in three runs with two doubles off Yovani Gallardo (11-7). Sam LeCure (2-4) pitched two innings in relief of Aaron Harang, who struggled in his return from back spasms.
Braves 9, Mets 2
At Atlanta, David Ross hit his first career grand slam to cap a seven-run inning for the Braves made possible by Luis Castillo's error.
The Mets scored two runs in the fifth off rookie Mike Minor (3-0), but the 2-1 lead didn't last long. In the bottom half, the Braves knocked out Jonathon Niese (8-7), taking advantage of Castillo's blunder.
The second baseman let a likely double-play grounder slip between his legs, and the Braves made New York pay. Jason Heyward followed with a two-run double, Alex Gonzalez had an RBI single and Ross — Atlanta's backup catcher getting one of his occasional starts — hit his second homer of the season.
Ross also had a triple.
Phillies 8, Dodgers 4
At Los Angeles, Brian Schneider and Ryan Howard each hit a three-run homer to power Philadelphia past Los Angeles, keeping the Phillies three games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East.
The Phillies' lead over San Francisco in the wild-card race remained 1 1/2 games, while the Dodgers fell 6 1/2 back with their third loss in four games.
Kyle Kendrick (9-7) allowed four runs and seven hits in five-plus innings for the win.
After being held to two runs or less in eight of their previous 12 games, including a shutout loss Monday night in which they managed just one hit, the Phillies got going early against Carlos Monasterios (3-5) and then kept up the pressure on the Dodgers' shaky bullpen.
Giants 5, Rockies 2
At San Francisco, Andres Torres led off the eighth inning with a go-ahead home run, helping San Francisco beat Colorado to close within four games of first place in the NL West.
Buster Posey added a two-run double in the eighth as the Giants won for the second time in six games. Freddy Sanchez had two hits and scored twice.
Jeremy Affeldt (4-3) blew a late lead for the second straight game but earned his second consecutive win after pitching the eighth. Brian Wilson worked the ninth for his 37th save.
Diamondbacks 7, Padres 4
At Phoenix, Miguel Montero drove in the go-ahead runs with a ground-rule double, Gerardo Parra made two critical defensive plays and hit a two-run single as Arizona handed NL West-leading San Diego its sixth straight loss.
The Diamondbacks scored five runs in the fifth and chased Kevin Correia (10-10) en route to their fifth victory in six games. Mark Reynolds hit his third home run in two nights, a two-run shot in the second that tied it at 2.
Ian Kennedy (9-9) allowed three runs in seven innings for the win and Juan Gutierrez got three outs for his fifth save.
Marlins 1, Nationals 0, 10 innings.
At Miami, Florida's Chad Tracy singled home Hanley Ramirez with the winning run in the 10th inning.
Ramirez singled with one out off reliever Drew Storen, then stole second. After Gaby Sanchez drew a walk, Tracy singled to left.
Roger Bernadina's throw was on target, but Ramirez slid under the tag attempt by catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who argued the call vehemently.
It was the ninth walk-off win for the Marlins this season.
Clay Hensley (3-4) picked up the victory for Florida.
Astros 3, Cardinals 0
At Houston, Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven innings and three relievers completed the three-hit shutout for Houston.
Hunter Pence drove in two runs in Houston's three-run fourth inning.
The Cardinals were shut out for the second straight game after J.A. Happ threw a two-hitter in a 3-0 win on Monday. They have dropped four straight, seven of their last eight and are seven games behind Cincinnati in the NL Central.
Tim Byrdak replaced Rodriguez (11-12) for the eighth inning, but was chased when he walked the first batter he faced. Wilton Lopez finished the eighth.
Brandon Lyon gave up a double to Matt Holliday in the ninth and walked Skip Schumaker with two outs, but pinch-hitter Randy Winn struck out to end the game and Lyon got his 10th save.
Pirates 14, Cubs 7
At Chicago, Neil Walker and Garrett Jones hit long two-run homers for Pittsburgh in a rare road victory.
Walker went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and three runs scored for the Pirates, who won for only the fifth time in 43 road games and ended a 14-game losing streak away from PNC Park.
Pittsburgh
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