AROUND THE HORN | Thursday's other games

INTERLEAGUE
Giants 9, Royals 7
SAN FRANCISCO -- Edgardo Alfonzo hit a go-ahead single in the sixth inning and pinch-hitter Pedro Feliz added a key two-run double. Rookie Lance Niekro matched his career high with three RBIs and Michael Tucker doubled twice with an RBI in a rare leadoff appearance for San Francisco, which couldn't hold a 4-0 lead for starter Noah Lowry. Scott Munter (1-0) earned his first major league victory -- and the slumping Giants won for just the second time in 13 games. Tyler Walker got four outs for his ninth save in 10 chances. Leo Nunez (1-1) lost.
Nationals 4, Athletics 3
WASHINGTON -- Livan Hernandez pitched eight strong innings to win his eighth straight decision, and Nick Johnson hit a three-run double to lead Washington to its season-best seventh victory in a row. Chad Cordero got three outs for his 17th save in 19 chances. It was the Nationals' 14th one-run victory, tied for the most in the NL. Washington did all its scoring in the third inning, batting around against starter Joe Blanton (1-6), who went six innings and gave up seven hits.
Mariners 8, Marlins 0
MIAMI -- Aaron Sele threw seven strong innings and Randy Winn celebrated his 31st birthday with his first homer of the year. Winn had two RBIs, as did Richie Sexson and Raul Ibanez -- both of whom knocked in their runs in Seattle's six-run seventh inning that knocked out Marlins starter Josh Beckett (7-4), who lost at home for the first time in six decisions this season. Sele (5-5) won for the third time in his last four starts.
Phillies 10, Rangers 8
PHILADELPHIA -- Pat Burrell homered twice and drove in four runs to help Philadelphia complete a three-game sweep. Todd Pratt homered and had four RBIs and Jim Thome also connected for the Phillies, who held on for their 12th win in 14 games. Mark Teixeira hit a pair of homers and five RBIs. Vicente Padilla (3-5) allowed four runs and four hits in five innings to win his second straight start. Billy Wagner earned his 17th save in 19 chances. Pedro Astacio (2-7) gave up five runs and seven hits in four innings.
Reds 14, Devil Rays 5
CINCINNATI -- Luke Hudson won his season debut with six solid innings on a steamy night, and Cincinnati completed a three-game sweep of baseball's worst road team. Casey Fossum (2-4) walked a season-high six in only four innings, needing 102 pitches to get that far. By the time he left trailing 5-1, the tone was set. Hudson (1-0), sidelined since spring training by a sore shoulder, was activated before the game and gave up three hits, including two-run homers by Carl Crawford and Jorge Cantu.
Diamondbacks 4, Twins 3
PHOENIX -- Jose Cruz Jr. homered to start a three-run fourth inning for Arizona. Javier Vazquez pitched six innings for the Diamondbacks, who won for just the second time in their last nine games. Vazquez (6-4) allowed three runs and three hits. Justin Morneau and Jacque Jones homered for the Twins, whose three-game winning streak was snapped. Javier Lopez got the first two outs in the ninth and was replaced by Brian Bruney, who allowed a walk and a hit before striking out pinch-hitter Matt LeCroy for his sixth save in nine chances. One night after being shut out on three hits by Johan Santana, the Diamondbacks opened an early 4-0 lead against Kyle Lohse (5-4). Craig Counsell led off the first with a stand-up triple to the gap in right-center field and scored on Alex Cintron's grounder to short. Cruz lined a homer just over the right-field fence leading off the fourth. Chad Tracy and Chris Snyder followed with consecutive singles and Vazquez sacrificed the runners to second and third. Tracy scored on a groundout by Counsell and Cintron added an RBI single for a 4-0 lead.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Astros 6, Mets 3
NEW YORK -- Morgan Ensberg hit an RBI double and Adam Everett added a two-run single in the 11th inning, and Houston won its second road series of the season. After losing to Pedro Martinez in the opener, the Astros won two straight and improved to 2-8 in road series -- they are 7-23 away from home. David Wright homered and drove in two runs for the Mets, but Houston got to Heath Bell (0-3) in the 11th. Russ Springer (1-2) pitched a scoreless inning for the win, and Brad Lidge got his 15th save.
Associated Press