Nationals top Santana, Twins

Levale Speigner surprised his old organization by cruising through six innings, Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer, and the Washington Nationals beat Johan Santana and the Twins, 3-1, last night in Minneapolis.

Santana wasn't quite good enough again for defending AL Central champion Minnesota, going seven innings -- but falling to 6-6 while his team lost its sixth game in the last seven.

Santana didn't sugarcoat his frustration with the lack of support.

"I'm really happy with everything I have done," he said. "I know what it takes for me to do my job. Hopefully, my teammates feel the same way and find a way to improve and then do a better job out there."

Speigner (2-2), a former Twins farmhand who brought a 14.44 ERA over four previous starts, gave up only two hits and had Minnesota's batters off balance all night. Only Justin Morneau, who hit his 17th homer in the second inning, solved him.

Chad Cordero worked the ninth for his eighth save, and 99th of his career.

Rangers 4, Brewers 3 -- Michael Young singled off former Ranger Francisco Cordero with two outs in the ninth to rally Texas past visiting Milwaukee.

Cordero had converted all 22 of his save chances coming in and retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth before it all unraveled for the Brewers closer. With Texas trailing, 3-0, Brad Wilkerson hit a two-out single, Ramon Vazquez walked, and Gerald Laird hit an RBI single. Kenny Lofton followed with a run-scoring single and Marlon Byrd tied it with an RBI single, setting up Young.

The comeback spoiled an impressive outing by Brewers starter Ben Sheets, who gave up five hits over seven scoreless innings.

Braves 9, Cubs 5 -- Peter Moylan pitched three scoreless innings in relief of injured starter Tim Hudson, and host Atlanta ended a four-game losing streak by beating Chicago.

Hudson limped off the field in the third inning after he was hit on his left leg by Jacque Jones's sharply hit grounder. X-rays were negative, and his status for his next start was not immediately known.

Moylan (2-1) came in and allowed no hits and walked one for the win. Edgar Renteria homered and drove in four runs, and Andruw Jones added a two-run homer for the Braves.

Athletics 6, Giants 0 -- Bobby Crosby homered off Barry Zito, Mark Ellis also connected, and Dan Haren won his seventh straight decision, leading Oakland past host San Francisco.

Zito (6-6) lasted only four innings against his former club, matching his shortest outing of the year.

Blue Jays 1, Dodgers 0 -- Shaun Marcum pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and Matt Stairs homered as visiting Toronto won in Los Angeles, despite a complete game from Dodgers starter Derek Lowe.

Astros 3, White Sox 2 -- Lance Berkman hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth and visiting Houston won back-to-back games for the first time since mid-May by beating reeling Chicago, which has lost 12 of 14.

Rockies 3, Orioles 2 -- Kazuo Matsui doubled in the tiebreaking run with two outs in the 10th inning, and Colorado received a strong pitching performance from former Oriole Rodrigo Lopez to win in Baltimore.

Mariners 6, Padres 5 -- Richie Sexson tied the game with a leadoff homer in the eighth and Jose Lopez singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth as Seattle won in San Diego.

Angels 9, Cardinals 3 -- Chone Figgins had four hits, pitcher Ervin Santana started a four-run fourth inning with a two-run double, and visiting Los Angeles beat St. Louis.

Indians 8, Reds 6 -- Grady Sizemore homered and had three hits and visiting Cleveland overcame Ken Griffey Jr.'s 578th career home run to beat Cincinnati in 11 innings.

Phillies 4, Royals 0 -- Jon Lieber struck out 11 in a three-hitter for his 25th career complete game, leading Philadelphia past host Kansas City.

Tigers 8, Mets 7 -- Carlos Guillen hit a three-run home run and Jeremy Bonderman won his sixth straight start in host Detroit's win.

Devil Rays 7, Marlins 2 -- James Shields improved to 6-0, pitching seven strong innings in visiting Tampa Bay's win over Florida.