NATIONAL league Roundup

Jay Bruce’s three-run homer keyed visiting Cincinnati’s five-run eighth inning.

Houston led by three entering the eighth before Drew Stubbs walked with one out and Brandon Phillips singled to chase Hector Ambriz. Left-hander Xavier Cedeno (0-1) came in and watched his first pitch sail into the seats in right field on Bruce’s 29th homer to tie it at 3-all.

Bruce, who is from nearby Beaumont, has three homers and 10 RBIs in nine games in Houston this season. Fans could be heard bellowing“Bruuuuce,”each time he came to the plate, and there were a group of five people with red shirts each sporting one letter of his last name in the crowd.

ChipperJones hit a three-run homer offJonathan Papelbon with two outs in the ninth inning, capping a five-run rally for host Atlanta.

Stephen Strasburg allowed two hits over six scoreless innings, striking out nine before host Washington pulled him.

Ryan Braun hit his NL-leading 37th home run, pitcher Yovani Gallardo also homered and host Milwaukee sent Pittsburgh to its10th loss in 13 games.

Adrian Gonzalez doubled in the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting host Los Angeles Dodgers to gain a series split.

Angel Pagan hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning and NL West-leading San Francisco closed out a 5-1 road trip.

Chris Nelson had a go-ahead, three-run home run in the seventh inning as host Colorado overcame a career-best six RBIs by Chase Headley.

Jason Bay hit his fifth career grand slam in visiting New York’s five-run first inning.