PITTSBURGH — Rod Barajas hit a two-run homer off Washington closer Henry Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-4 victory Tuesday.

The veteran catcher, mired in a season-long slump, drilled a shot down the left field line that sailed a few rows into the seats for his first home run and RBIs of the year.

The Nationals went ahead 4-3 after Adam LaRoche’s two-run blast in the top of the ninth off Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan.

Alex Presley singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth off Rodriguez (1-2) and moved to third on a pair of wild pitches before Barajas broke through. Tony Watson (2-0) earned the win after replacing Hanrahan.
Mets 7, Phillies 4: Lucas Duda had a tiebreaking, two-out RBI single in the seventh and the New York Mets took advantage of Philadelphia’s defensive blunder. Duda and David Wright had two hits and two RBIs each to help the Mets win.

Astros 3, Marlins 2: Pinch-hitter Brian Bogusevic hit an eighth-inning RBI double and Houston ended Miami’s season-long seven-game winning streak.

Braves 3, Cubs 1: Dan Uggla hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning. Michael Bourn reached on a leadoff single and Kerry Wood issued two walks before Uggla drove a 1-1 pitch back up the middle for his third hit of the game. Freddie Freeman helped set up the big inning by hustling down the line to prevent a potential double play.

Brewers 8, Reds 3: Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run triple, helping the Milwaukee Brewers shake off their recent offensive struggles.

In other games it was: Giants 2, Dodgers 1; Cardinals 6, Diamondbacks 1; San Diego 3, Colorado 1. — Agencies