PHOENIX — As Conor Jackson's two-run single bounced through Milwaukee's drawn-in infield, the Arizona Diamondbacks poured out of their dugout as if they had won a title.

All they had really done was reach .500. But it felt like a monumental achievement for the slumping NL West leaders.

In one of the more improbable victories in team history, the Diamondbacks overcame a five-run deficit in the ninth inning to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-5, yesterday. After being shut out for eight innings, the Diamondbacks sent seven men to the plate in the ninth, and every one reached base.

"Hopefully this will kind of spark us and get us going," said Chad Tracy, whose three-run, pinch-hit double was pivotal. "That looked like the old Diamondbacks right there, battling back and never giving up."

The victory lifted the Diamondbacks to 43-43 and kept them 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Afterward, they still weren't quite sure how they had done it.

"I was almost in shock, basically," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "We played possum for eight innings, and in the ninth inning we surprised them. Don't ask me."

For the Brewers, the loss put an agonizing end on a 5-5 road trip to Atlanta, Minnesota and Arizona.

"It was a very tough loss for us today, especially going into the ninth inning 5-0," said closer Salomon Torres (4-2), who blew his third save in 18 chances. "It appears to be the deal was sealed, but apparently it wasn't."

Arizona's rally wasted a big day by Milwaukee shortstop J.J. Hardy, who homered, doubled twice and singled. The four hits matched a career high.

Hardy has hit in a team-high 15 straight games, and he went 11-for-18 with three home runs and six RBIs in the four-game series with Arizona. The rally cost Brewers starter Manny Parra his seventh straight victory.

DODGERS 5, ASTROS 2

Chad Billingsley (8-7) gave up two runs on six hits over eight innings, Andre Ethier and James Looney homered, and Blake DeWitt had a two-run single to lead visiting Los Angeles over Houston.

GIANTS 8, CUBS 3

Tim Lincecum (10-1) allowed seven hits and three runs, increased his NL-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight in six innings and singled in a run and scored to lead host San Francisco.

PHILLIES 4, BRAVES 1

Cole Hamels (9-5) came within an out of his second shutout of the Braves this season, and Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz hit homers to help visiting Philadelphia sweep the series.

REDS 5, NATIONALS 3

Brandon Phillips had three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run single to break a 3-all tie in the bottom of the seventh, as Cincinnati rallied to beat Washington.

METS 11, CARDINALS 1

Carlos Delgado had a two-run homer and three RBIs, Jose Reyes sparked a six-run third inning with a bases-clearing triple for a 9-0 lead and visiting New York never looked back in routing St. Louis.Rockies 6, Marlins 5: Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning off Kevin Gregg (6-3), who blew his fifth save in 20 chances, rallied Colorado past Florida.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

RED SOX 7, YANKEES 0

Jon Lester (7-3) pitched a five-hitter while visiting Boston roughed up Andy Pettitte (9-6), who gave up six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, to beat New York and end a five-game losing streak.

ROYALS 10, ORIOLES 7

Mark Grudzielanek went 4 for 5 and Jose Guillen led off the sixth with a walk and capped the seven-run outburst with a two-run single as visiting Kansas City overcame two homers by Aubrey Huff to earn a split of the four-game series with Balitomore.

ATHLETICS 3, WHITE SOX 2

Justin Duchscherer (9-5) allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings, and Jack Cust and Donnie Murphy hit homers as visiting Oakland ended Chicago's seven-game win streak.

TIGERS 8, MARINERS 4

Justin Verlander (5-9) allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings, Michael Hollimon hit his first big league home run and Ivan Rodriguez added three RBIs as visiting Detroit hung on to beat Seattle.