LITTLE ROCK — CINCINNATI - Mat Latos didn’t allow a run into the eighth inning and hit a two-run home run Friday night as the NL Centralleading Cincinnati Reds opened a three-game series against their closest pursuers with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chris Heisey hustled for an inside-the-park home run and Aroldis Chapman closed out the victory that gave the Reds a 4 1/2-game lead over the Pirates.
The Reds have won 14 of 15 and moved 24 games over .500 for the first time since 1999.
Latos (10-3) allowed four hits in 7 1/3 innings. Jonathan Broxton got a key double play to end the eighth and Chapman recorded his 24th save.
Latos hit his third career home run, connecting in the fifth against Wandy Rodriguez (7-10).
Zack Cozart added three hits for the Reds. The series was Cincinnati’s first against a team over .500 after five consecutive against clubs with losing records.
Latos allowed just one runner past second base, none after the first inning. He struck out five, walked three and improved to 4-0 in five career starts against the Pirates.
Broxton entered with runners on first and second. The newly acquired reliever got pinch hitter Gaby Sanchez - acquired from Miami right before Tuesday’s trading deadline - to ground into Pittsburgh’s third double play of the night.
Chapman struck out two in the ninth. He hit Andrew McCutchen with a pitch with two outs.
The Reds already led 1-0 in the fifth when Latos followed RyanHanigan’s two-out single with his first home run of the season.
Rodriguez (7-10), acquired by Pittsburgh from Houston for three minor leaguers July 24, allowed 7hits and 3 runs with no walks and 4 strikeouts.
CARDINALS 9, BREWERS 3
Rookie right-hander Joe Kelly broke a three-start losing streak and drove in the go-ahead run for host St. Louis.
NATIONALS 7-2, MARLINS 4-5
Josh Johnson outpitched Gio Gonzalez for another victory over Washington, and visiting Miami beat the Nationals to split a doubleheader. In the first game, Adam LaRoche and Mark DeRosa each drove in three runs, leading John Lannan and the Nationals to a 7-4 victory. Johnson (7-7) improved to 9-1 against Washington.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, PHILLIES 2
Justin Upton hit his 100th career home run, Ian Kennedy threw six innings and visiting Arizona beat Philadelphia.
BRAVES 4, ASTROS 1
Tim Hudson gave up four hits in 7 1/3 innings to remain unbeaten in his career against visiting Houston, and the Braves stayed hot with a victory that left the Astros with their worst 32-game stretch in franchise history. The Astros are 3-29 in their past 32 games.
GIANTS 16, ROCKIES 4
Ryan Vogelsong pitched into the seventh inning, Buster Posey homered and visiting San Francisco routed Colorado.
American League
YANKEES 6, MARINERS 3
CC Sabathia (11-3) pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10 as host New York snapped Seattle’s seven-game winning streak.
RAYS 2, ORIOLES 0
B.J. Upton joined his brother Justin by hitting his 100th career home run in host Tampa Bay’s victory over Baltimore. Justin, who plays for Arizona, hit his 100th home run earlier Friday against Philadelphia.
TIGERS 10, INDIANS 2
Prince Fielder homered and drove in four runs, helping Anibal Sanchez win for the first time with host Detroit.
TWINS 6, RED SOX 5
Jamey Carroll had four hits, including a go-ahead single in the 10th inning for visiting Minnesota.
RANGERS 5, ROYALS 3
Matt Harrison allowed 2 runs and 8 hits in 6 2/3 innings, Mitch Moreland hit a three-run home run and Texas beat host Kansas City.
WHITE SOX 8, ANGELS 6
Alex Rios hit his second home run of the game, connecting for a two-run shot in the 10th inning that lifted host Chicago over Los Angeles.
Friday’s games NATIONAL LEAGUE
Washington 7-2, Miami 4-5 Arizona 4, Philadelphia 2 Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 0 Atlanta 4, Houston 1 St. Louis 9, Milwaukee 3 San Francisco 16, Colorado 4 NY Mets at San Diego, (n) Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers, (n)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit 10, Cleveland 2 NY Yankees 6, Seattle 3 Tampa Bay 2, Baltimore 0 Minnesota 6, Boston 5 (10) Chicago White Sox 8, LA Angels 6 (10) Texas 5, Kansas City 3 Toronto at Oakland, (n)
Sports, Pages 24 on 08/04/2012