National League East News

Veteran lefty Mike Hampton aims for his 10th career defeat of the Washington Nationals franchise tonight when the Houston Astros host the skidding National League East Division cellar-dwellars in the third of a four- game series at Minute Maid Park.

The Colorado Rockies will try for their fifth straight win when they continue a four-game series versus the Atlanta Braves tonight at Coors Field.

Joe Blanton pitched into the eighth inning, Jayson Werth drove in two runs on the same day he was named to his first All-Star team and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Friday night.

The Atlanta Braves traded Jeff Francoeur and cash to the New York Mets for Ryan Church on Friday in a swap of outfielders who had fallen out of favor with their teams.

With a no-look flip behind his back, Daniel Murphy hit a moving target in perfect stride.

The Reds' Bronson Arroyo has struggled mightily over his last three starts. An outing versus the Mets could be enough to get him back on track.

Officially, it took 3 hours and 20 minutes Thursday night for the Mets to lose to the Dodgers , 11-2, at Citi Field .

The Arizona Diamondbacks will be attempting to maintain their newfound winning ways when the Florida Marlins invade Chase Field tonight for the first of four straight games between the teams.

The New York Mets' offense delivered what could be viewed as a breakthrough performance last night.

Pitcher Tommy Hanson #73 of the Atlanta Braves throws during an exhibition game against Panama at Champion Stadium March 3, 2009 in Kissimmee, Florida.

With some indication that they might once again be in the midst of following an inspiring winning streak with a prolonged stretch of struggles, the Braves managed to provide just enough support to a pitching staff that has allowed them to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Shane Victorino did his best campaigning with his bat. The center fielder's RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Philadelphia Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Ryan Sadowski's brief tenure in the major leagues couldn't have gone any better.

Wed July 8, 2009 5:13am EDT - Brian McCann hits an RBI single in the first, knocking in Nate McLouth.

Major League Baseball has announced the rosters for the 2009 All-Star Game, and the squads are filled with many familiar names, as only a pair of first-time starters were selected.

Ramon Hernandez hit a tiebreaking RBI single off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

It will be a little while until you see Carlos Beltran, right, back celebrating on the field for the Mets.

The San Francisco Giants received a strong performance from their All-Star pitcher in Monday's win over the Florida Marlins.

The Mets wasted another solid outing from their ace last time out. They nearly did the same thing in Mike Pelfrey's last trip to the hill.

I TAKE IT back. I take it all back. OK, not all of it, but most of it. Last week, I said Atlanta Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton was in need of a good firing.