Reds Drop Padres to Two Under .500

Aaron Harang pitched eight strong innings, and Sean Casey and Javier Valentin homered as the Cincinnati Reds beat San Diego, 9-1, Saturday night at Petco Park, dropping the West Division-leading Padres to two games under .500.

The Padres (51-53) had their lead cut to one game over the Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s their smallest lead since May 26, when they had a half-game margin over Arizona.

The Padres have lost 11 of 12 overall and 34 of 52 since June 1, when they were 14 games over .500.

Harang (7-9), who was born in San Diego, improved to 3-0 in his career against the Padres. He held them to one run and seven hits.

*

Florida 3, Washington 0 -- A.J. Burnett (8-6) pitched seven strong innings at Miami -- yielding four hits, including two infield singles -- to win his third start in a row, and the Marlins extended their winning streak to four games. The Nationals have lost a season-high six consecutive games and 18 of 23.

*

Arizona 3, Chicago 2 -- Rookie first baseman Conor Jackson got his first two major league hits, including a go-ahead double in the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Making his first start, Jackson lined a double to left to drive in Troy Glaus.

*

Houston 2, New York 0 -- Andy Pettitte (9-7) held the Mets to three hits over eight innings and Jason Lane hit a towering home run in the seventh inning at Houston, and the Astros extended their winning streak to seven games.

*

Milwaukee 7, San Francisco 1 -- Ben Sheets (7-7) pitched a six-hitter and Geoff Jenkins hit a tiebreaking three-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning.

*

Atlanta 9, Pittsburgh 6 -- At Atlanta, rookie Jeff Francoeur homered and drove in four runs, and the Braves used a seven-run sixth inning to beat the Pirates for their fifth consecutive victory.

*

Philadelphia 8, Colorado 7 -- At Coors Field, the Phillies spoiled Aaron Cook’s return after a near-fatal illness. Cook (0-1) made his first appearance since last Aug. 7, when doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs. He yielded seven runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings.