LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers may get a chance over the next 1 1/2 weeks to find out if champagne stains come out of gray uniforms easier than from white ones.

Andre Ethier hit a go-ahead two-run homer off Tim Lincecum in the third, Ronnie Belliard added a two-run single against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, and the NL West leaders beat the San Francisco Giants, 6-2, yesterday to go 30 games over .500 for the first time in almost 24 years.

The Dodgers, who clinched the division title at home last season with three games to spare, now embark on a nine-game road trip through Washington, Pittsburgh and San Diego. They are five games ahead of second-place Colorado with 12 to play, and will finish the regular season at Chavez Ravine with a three-game series against the Rockies.

"We're going to try to clinch as early as we can. I just want to get this thing over with, and winning games is the only way we're going to do it," manager Joe Torre said.

The Giants fell 4 1/2 games behind the Rockies in the NL wild-card race.

Lincecum (14-6) gave up five runs, four hits and four walks over four-plus innings.

PHILLIES 4, BRAVES 2:

Philadelphia ended rookie Tommy Hanson's streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings. Hanson (10-4) allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings. Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum from Maui, was ejected in the first for arguing after being thrown out on a stolen base attempt.

CUBS 6, CARDINALS 3:

Jake Fox homered in the 11th inning and visiting Chicago avoided a three-game sweep. The Cubs won hours after suspending right fielder Milton Bradley for the rest of the season. He was penalized for making disparaging remarks about the franchise and its fans.

BREWERS 6, ASTROS 0:

Prince Fielder hit his 40th homer and Yovani Gallardo pitched five solid innings to help host Milwaukee complete a sweep of Houston. Gallardo (13-12) became the fourth Brewers pitcher with 200 strikeouts in a season and first since Ben Sheets had 264 in 2004.

METS 6, NATIONALS 2:

John Maine pitched five shutout innings to earn his first win since May 31, and host New York beat Washington. Maine (6-5) allowed two singles and a walk in his second start since he was sidelined for more than three months with a sore right shoulder.

REDS 8, MARLINS 1:

Corky Miller homered to back Kip Wells' strong pitching and host Cincinnati gained a split of its four-game series against Florida. Miller's three-run shot and Joey Votto's two-run homer created a cushion for Wells (2-4), who went seven-plus innings.

ROCKIES 5, DIAMONDBACKS 1:

Jason Giambi homered for the second consecutive game and Ubaldo Jimenez pitched seven solid innings to help visiting Colorado beat Arizona. Jimenez (14-11) gave up a run and five hits, and struck out eight.

PADRES 4, PIRATES 0:

Kevin Correia added to his impressive September, pitching seven strong innings for visiting San Diego. Correia (11-10) allowed six hits and did not walk a batter. He is 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four starts this month.