Mets ruled out of line in loss

Marlon Anderson went a little too wide with his slide.

Anderson's hard takeout attempt might have been enough to bust up a double play in the ninth inning and allow the tying run to score for the New York Mets. Instead, Anderson went far outside second base, knocked down Philadelphia's Tadahito Iguchi, and was ruled out on a game-ending interference call in the Phillies' 3-2 home victory last night.

Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell homered, and Brett Myers survived the wild ninth to help the Phillies win their third straight against New York and close within three games of the NL East leaders. The Phillies go for the sweep today.

"I'm just glad the umpire made the call and took care of it," Iguchi said through an interpreter. "I think we were fortunate he was right on the play."

The Mets had runners on the corners with one out against Myers when pinch hitter Shawn Green hit a slow roller to Rollins, who shoveled the ball to Iguchi at second. Anderson made a rough slide at Iguchi outside the line and knocked the second baseman down as he threw to first. Second base umpire CB Bucknor ruled interference and a double play.

"I know it shouldn't have been a double play," Anderson said. "My foot was on top of the bag when I touched him. Maybe somebody will have an explanation for it."

Crew chief Joe West spoke on Bucknor's behalf. "Marlon Anderson went after the second baseman to break up the double play and did not, and could not reach the base, which is what he argued," he told a pool reporter. "He went out of his way to interfere with the play that created the interference. CB made a great call, made a gutsy call, and he didn't back down from the call at all."

Padres 3, Diamondbacks 1 -- Greg Maddux didn't walk a batter for the sixth straight start and host San Diego inched past Arizona and into the NL West lead.

Brian Giles, who homered in the third, scored the go-ahead run on Mike Cameron's double in the eighth for the Padres, who lead the Diamondbacks by one percentage point. San Diego has won the first three of the four-game series.

Indians 4, Twins 3 -- Rookie Asdrubal Cabrera's two-run homer and Victor Martinez's solo shot in a four-run first inning helped C.C. Sabathia get win No. 15 as host Cleveland beat Johan Santana again for its fifth straight victory.

Santana (14-10) dropped to 0-4 this season against the Indians. The lefthander gave up 10 hits, matching a career high, but shook off an atrocious first and managed to stay in as long as Sabathia (15-7).

Brewers 6, Cubs 1 -- Ben Sheets (11-4) came off the disabled list to pitch six strong innings and Ryan Braun hit a bases-loaded double during a four-run seventh inning, moving Milwaukee within 1 1/2 games of host Chicago in the NL Central.

Royals 5, Tigers 0 -- Esteban German hit a go-ahead triple in a five-run first against Andrew Miller, and host Kansas City beat Detroit to drop the Tigers 4 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland.

Astros 7, Cardinals 0 -- Roy Oswalt (14-6) allowed four hits and struck out nine in seven dominant innings as host Houston beat St. Louis to give manager Cecil Cooper his first win since replacing Phil Garner.

Dodgers 10, Nationals 9 -- Shea Hillenbrand hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and a sacrifice fly in the 12th as host Los Angeles rallied from a five-run deficit to finish a three-game sweep.

Athletics 5, Blue Jays 4 -- Jack Hannahan hit a game-ending single with two outs in the 11th inning to help host Oakland snap a five-game losing streak.

Braves 7, Marlins 4 -- Matt Diaz homered twice and Atlanta salvaged a win at the end of a disappointing 4-6 road trip by beating Dontrelle Willis and Florida.

Devil Rays 5, Orioles 4 -- Dioner Navarro singled in the tiebreaking run in the 12th inning, and visiting Tampa Bay rallied to hand Baltimore its eighth straight loss.

Rockies 8, Giants 0 -- Jeff Francis (14-6) pitched a six-hitter for his second career shutout and complete game, Garrett Atkins homered twice, and visiting Colorado avoided a three-game sweep.

Reds 8, Pirates 0 -- Aaron Harang (14-3) threw a two-hitter for his fourth career shutout and Ken Griffey and Brandon Phillips homered to lead visiting Cincinnati past Pittsburgh.

Rangers 5, White Sox 4 -- Sammy Sosa hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift Texas over Chicago.