HOUSTON — Joel Pineiro allowed five hits in seven innings, Yadier Molina hit a two-run homer and St. Louis inched closer to the NL Central title with an 11-2 win over Houston last night.

Colby Rasmus added a solo shot as the Cardinals reduced their magic number for clinching the division to two. Pineiro (15-11) struck out four to win for the first time in four starts.

PHILLIES-MARLINS SPLIT

Anibal Sanchez (3-7) allowed two hits in eight innings to beat Philadelphia, 3-0, as host Florida gained a doubleheader split. Philadelphia won the first game, 9-3, and reduced its magic number to five for clinching the NL East.

DODGERS 14, NATIONALS 2

Rafael Furcal drove in four runs, Hiroki Kuroda (8-6) allowed two runs and four hits over six innings and visiting Los Angeles routed Washington to lower its magic number for clinching a postseason berth to three.

DIAMONDBACKS 10, GIANTS 8

Miguel Montero had three hits and host Arizona scored three runs in the second inning and six in third to take a 9-4 lead and beat San Francisco, which fell five games behind NL wild-card leader Colorado.

ROCKIES 11, PADRES 10

Brad Hawpe homered for the first time since Aug. 29, Clint Barmes added an inside-the-park homer, and host Colorado held off San Diego.

BRAVES 3, METS 1

Jair Jurrjens (13-10) gave up a run and five hits over seven innings, and Yunel Escobar hit a two-run single, leading visiting Atlanta over New York for its sixth straight road victory.

REDS 10, PIRATES 4

Scott Rolen had three hits and three RBIs, Joey Votto had three doubles and scored three runs, and visiting Cincinnati ensured Pittsburgh of clinching its third straight last-place finish in the NL Central.

CUBS 7, BREWERS 2

Derrek Lee hit his 35th homer and drove in two runs to set a career mark with 109 RBIs, leading visiting Chicago over Milwaukee for its third straight victory.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

MARINERS 4, RAYS 3

Jose Lopez hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and visiting Seattle beat Tampa Bay, eliminating the defending AL champions from the postseason.

TIGERS 3, INDIANS 1

Edwin Jackson (13-7) scattered seven hits over seven shutout innings and Ryan Raburn homered as visiting Detroit handed Cleveland its ninth straight loss.

BLUE JAYS 6, ORIOLES 5

Jose Bautista walked to lead off the bottom of the 11th off Dennis Saffate (0-1) and Aaron Hill followed with a double to right-center, helping Toronto hand Baltimore its sixth straight loss.

ROYALS 5, RED SOX 1

Zack Greinke (15-8) bolstered his Cy Young Award credentials by allowing two hits in six scoreless innings, and visiting Kansas City batted around in a five-run first to beat Boston.

TWINS 8, WHITE SOX 6

Michael Cuddyer, who went 3 for 4, broke a 6-all tie with a solo homer and Matt Tolbert homered to cap a two-run sixth inning as visiting Minnesota rallied past Chicago.

ATHLETICS 9, RANGERS 1

Baldwin High alum Kurt Suzuki sparked a five-run seventh inning with a two-run double as host Oakland beat Texas for its fourth straight victory.