Molina's 3-run homer lifts Cards over Brewers

MILWAUKEE – Yadier Molina hit a three-run homer to boost the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League on Saturday.

Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo struggled in his first outing since signing a big contract extension with the Brewers, giving up six runs in five innings.

Jaime Garcia was sharp in his debut as the Cardinals’ No. 5 starter, giving up one run in six innings.

In Phoenix, Akinori Iwamura and Jeff Clement homered in Pittsburgh’s 6-3 victory against Arizona.

The Pirates pair went long off Arizona ace Dan Haren, who was off his game from the start, allowing five runs in four innings.

By contrast, Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke limited the Diamondbacks to four hits in seven innings. Duke threw six scoreless innings before giving up a two-run homer.

Duke, whose start was moved up a day so he could face Haren, baffled Arizona’s batters into groundouts and popouts.

In Miami, Jorge Cantu’s sacrifice fly capped Florida’s three-run rally in the ninth inning against Los Angeles, 7-6.

With the Marlins trailing 6-4, Gaby Sanchez singled to start the ninth. Dodgers reliever George Sherrill came on and struck Wes Helms. Chris Coghlan walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases, and pinch hitter Ronny Paulino hit a two-run double to tie the game.

Cantu hit a fly to medium center, and Matt Kemp’s throw home was wide of the plate as Coghlan slid home headfirst for the winner.

In New York, Willie Harris made a game-ending diving catch to yet again thwart a Mets rally as Washington edged New York, 4-3.

Well-traveled Willy Taveras drove in a career-high four runs, hitting a single and a triple in his first start for the Nationals, who signed him to a minor league contract.

Nationals closer Matt Capps made the ninth inning an adventure, giving up a leadoff single to Jose Reyes and eventually loading the bases on a pair of walks. Rod Barajas lined a hard shot to left, but Willie Harris made a diving grab to end the game.

In Cincinnati, Carlos Zambrano recovered from his horrific opening day start by pitching seven solid innings to steer Chicago past Cincinnati, 4-3.

Zambrano managed only four outs during the Cubs’ 16-5 opening-day drubbing in Atlanta, but he held the Reds to six hits and struck out nine.

Pinch-hitter Jeff Baker hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning off Reds reliever Arthur Rhodes – Chicago’s third homer of the game. (AP)