Byrd’s Behavior Mars National Win

Washington outfielder Marlon Byrd knocked over one umpire during an argument with another Saturday night, an ugly moment in the Nationals’ 7-3 victory over the Florida Marlins.

In a rare big-margin victory for the Nationals, Vinny Castilla hit a three-run double, Nick Johnson drove in two runs, and Cristian Guzman had two hits and a run batted in.

But the night’s most talked-about moment surely will be Byrd’s outburst. It came after he was called out on strikes to end the sixth, when first-base umpire Bill Miller ruled that Byrd went around on a checked swing with the count full.

Byrd, thinking he had drawn a walk, was about halfway to first when he realized Miller had called him out. Byrd began arguing with the umpire, and first base coach Don Buford stepped between them.

As the Nationals took the field for the top of the seventh, Byrd continued arguing on his way to left, and Miller ejected him.

Byrd then headed toward Miller, and second base umpire Joe Brinkman tried to get in the player’s way. They collided, sending Brinkman tumbling to his back on the infield dirt. He was attended to by a Washington trainer.

Several National players and Manager Frank Robinson ran over toward Miller, and eventually Byrd walked off the field.

It marred what should have been an enjoyable night for the Nationals, who have won six of seven. The Marlins have lost nine of 11, dropping half a game behind the second-place Nationals in the National League East.

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New York 5, San Francisco 1 -- Tom Glavine pitched effectively into the eighth inning at New York and the Mets handed the Giants their eighth consecutive loss.

Mike Cameron homered and Mike Piazza hit a two-run single for the Mets, who have won three in a row and six of eight. The Giants are on their longest losing streak since also dropping eight in a row in May 2000.

Glavine (4-5) scattered nine hits over 7 2/3 innings for his 266th win, tying Bob Feller and Eppa Rixley for 32nd on the career list.

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Atlanta 1, Pittsburgh 0 -- Julio Franco’s two-out double in the top of the ninth inning drove in the run. Dominated for eight innings by Mark Redman, the Braves advanced only one runner to second -- and that on a strikeout -- until Franco’s double against Mike Gonzalez (0-2) to right drove in Brian Jordan, who reached on a force play.

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Chicago 11, San Diego 5 -- Greg Maddux won his 309th game, the visiting Cubs had a seven-run fifth inning and won for the eighth time in nine games. Maddux (4-3), who singled and scored in the big inning, is tied for 19th place on the all-time win list with Mickey Welch.

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St. Louis 11, Houston 9 -- Reggie Sanders hit a grand slam and pitcher Jason Marquis hit a two-run homer during an eight-run third inning for the Cardinals at Houston.

Marquis (7-3) gave up six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Albert Pujols hit his 14th home run in the eighth to help preserve the victory for the Cardinals, who have won 11 of 15.

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Philadelphia 10-5, Arizona 6-3 -- Placido Polanco homered twice and the Phillies completed a sweep of the doubleheader at Philadelphia. In the opener, Bobby Abreu homered twice and drove in four runs. The Phillies (29-27) are two games over .500 for the first time this season.

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Colorado 7, Cincinnati 5 -- J.D. Closser hit a two-run double during a six-run sixth inning at Coors Field, and the Rockies won their season-high third in a row.