CHICAGO – Aramis Ramirez hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning, capping a three-run rally against Milwaukee closer Francisco Cordero and leading the Chicago Cubs over the Brewers 6-5 Friday for their seventh straight win.

The NL Central-leading Brewers took a 5-0 lead in the first inning. They still led 5-3 going into the ninth before Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot singled with one out off Cordero (0-2).

After Derrek Lee hit a sacrifice fly, Ramirez hit the next pitch into the left-center field bleachers for his 15th homer, setting off a wild celebration at Wrigley Field.

It was Cordero’s third blown save in 30 chances. Bob Howry (5-4) pitched one inning and got the win.

Braves 12, Marlins 3

MIAMI – Chuck James held Florida to a run and four hits and had two hits of his own for Atlanta.

Kelly Johnson had three singles and reached base in all five plate appearances. Jeff Francouer had four hits and an RBI.

Mets sweep Phillies

PHILADELPHIA – Carlos Beltran homered twice and John Maine dominated the Phillies again, helping New York complete a sweep of a day-night doubleheader.

In the opener, Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes homered, Orlando Hernandez pitched six strong innings and the Mets held on for a 6-5 win. The Mets won Game 2, 5-2.

Pirates 3, Nationals 2

PITTSBURGH – Jose Bautista’s second sacrifice fly of the game drove in the winning run in the ninth inning, and Pittsburgh rallied from two runs down to beat slumping Washington.

The Nationals have been limited to five runs while losing four in a row. They have dropped five of six and 10 of 13.

Yankees 2, Athletics 1

NEW YORK – Mike Mussina pitched seven sharp innings and New York beat Oakland for its first win in a week.

Alex Rodriguez had three hits as the Yankees opened a big 10-game homestand after a disastrous 1-7 road trip. New York has won nine of its last 10 games at Yankee Stadium.

Shannon Stewart went 3-for-3 and Eric Chavez doubled and scored for Oakland, which has lost seven of eight and 13 of 17.

Indians 2, Devil Rays 1

CLEVELAND – Ben Francisco led off the bottom of the ninth inning with his first major league home run for Cleveland.

The homer off Shawn Camp (0-2) came on a 2-2 pitch and landed in the left-field bleachers. The Devil Rays have lost five straight and 12 of 16.

Twins 11, Tigers 1

DETROIT – Joe Mauer hit his first career grand slam and Johan Santana scattered five hits over six innings for Minnesota.

The anticipated pitching duel between Santana and Justin Verlander never really materialized. Verlander gave up two runs in the first inning and Mauer broke the game open with his grand slam in the fifth.

Angels 9, Orioles 7

BALTIMORE – Aubrey Huff hit for the cycle, but Los Angeles got a tiebreaking two-run homer from Howie Kendrick in the ninth inning.

Kendrick connected off Chris Ray (4-6) with two outs. The Angels blew a five-run lead and trailed 7-5 in the seventh before rallying to end a three-game losing streak.

Cardinals 4, Reds 2

CINCINNATI – Juan Encarnacion’s tiebreaking single in the eighth inning helped St. Louis rally past Cincinnati, giving reliever Troy Percival a triumphant return to the majors.

The 37-year-old Percival was in position for his first victory since April 22, 2005, after he pitched a perfect seventh inning. He watched from the bench as the Cardinals pulled it out with three runs in the eighth.

Royals 8, White Sox 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Shane Costa and Esteban German drove in two runs apiece, and Kansas City won its fifth straight game for the first time in two years.

Brian Bannister (5-4) went six strong innings, giving up a run and four hits and winning for the fifth time this month. Zack Greinke held the White Sox to one hit in the last 2 2-3 innings to earn the first save of his three-year major league career.

Jose Contreras (4-9) took his fifth loss in his last six decisions as the White Sox saw their season-best four-game win streak come to a halt.

The Royals, coming off their first three-game sweep of the Angels in Anaheim in 11 years, had not won five in a row since June 11-16, 2005.