Arizona 4, San Diego 1

SAN DIEGO – Brandon Webb pitched neatly into the ninth inning and Johnny Estrada hit a two-run double to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks past the San Diego Padres 4-1 last night.

Webb (3-0) drove in Arizona’s final run with the third infield single in the ninth off Chan Ho Park. The sinkerballer allowed six hits, struck out four and walked none.

He was chased after pinch-hitter Mark Bellhorn and Dave Roberts opened the ninth with consecutive singles, but Jose Valverde got three outs for his fourth save. Valverde struck out Josh Barfield and Brian Giles before Mike Piazza flied out with runners at second and third to end it.

Los Angeles Dodgers 6, Houston 2

HOUSTON – Nomar Garciaparra hit a go-ahead grand slam off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning for his first RBIs with the Dodgers, sending Los Angeles to a 6-2 win over the Houston Astros last night.

Andy Pettitte held the Dodgers hitless until J.D. Drew homered with one out in the seventh inning to tie the score at 1. Lance Berkman’s eighth-inning homer put Houston ahead again, but Lidge (0-1) couldn’t hold the lead.

After Kenny Lofton tripled with one out, the All-Star closer walked J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent. Garciaparra then drove a 2-2 pitch to left-center for his sixth career slam and first since June 22, 2004, with Boston against Minnesota.

St. Louis 7, Pittsburgh 2

ST. LOUIS – Albert Pujols has a nice head start in his quest for a second straight MVP season. He gave the St. Louis Cardinals a nice head start on another victory.

Pujols hit his major league-leading 12th home run in the first inning and Chris Carpenter beat the Pittsburgh Pirates for the sixth straight time in St. Louis’ 7-2 victory last night. Pujols has three first-inning homers, two in the last four days.

“”It’s always big to take the lead,”” Pujols said. “”You send a message right away that we’re ready to play.””