DENVER — The Colorado Rockies keep losing players and winning games.

Starting pitcher Jose Contreras came out in the third inning with a strained quadriceps yesterday.

No matter, the bullpen and a makeshift lineup that was missing its top two sluggers led the Rockies to their seventh straight win, 5-1 over the Cincinnati Reds yesterday.

"Got to keep the train going," Eric Young Jr. said.

It's chugging along at full steam these days.

The NL wild card leaders increased their cushion to 4 1/2 games over idle San Francisco and crept within two games of first-place Los Angeles in the NL West. The Dodgers also had the day off.

By sweeping four games from the Reds, the Rockies wrapped up a 9-1 homestand — one of their best in franchise history.

All this despite Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart sitting out their third straight games with back stiffness.

The Rockies went with Clint Barmes at shortstop, Garrett Atkins at third and Young at second. The team even gave first baseman Todd Helton the day off, starting Jason Giambi.

"It speaks volumes as to the depth and strength of this organization," said manager Jim Tracy, whose team is 63-32 since he took over.

Seth Smith had an RBI single, Giambi laced a two-run double to deep center and Atkins added a two-run homer.

Contreras was injured trying to beat out a grounder.

In his absence, Colorado strung together three relievers who allowed just three hits the rest of the way. Juan Rincon (3-2) pitched three effective frames, striking out five to earn the win.

NATIONALS 8, PHILLIES 7

Ian Desmond homered and drove in four runs in his major league debut, Livan Hernandez pitched effectively into the eighth inning and host Washington held off Philadelphia. The Nationals gave up five runs in the ninth before Ron Villone got Ryan Howard to ground into a game-ending double play with runners at the corners. Hernandez (8-10) allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings.

MARLINS 13, METS 4

Nick Johnson drove in four runs as visiting Florida beat New York. Hanley Ramirez and Cody Ross each had three hits and two RBIs for the Marlins, who completed their first sweep of the Mets since taking four straight Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2004, in New York.

BRAVES 9, ASTROS 7

Garret Anderson drove in three runs, Nate McLouth homered and visiting Atlanta beat Houston. Brian McCann had four hits and two RBIs for the Braves, who finished with 16 hits, two shy of their season high.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ROYALS 7, TIGERS 4

Alex Gordon and Alberto Callaspo homered, leading host Kansas City to a three-game sweep of the AL Central leaders. Yuniesky Betancourt drove in two runs for Kansas City, last in a division the Tigers lead by 5 1/2 games over Minnesota.

ANGELS 3, MARINERS 0

John Lackey pitched a five-hitter for his first complete game of the season and Torii Hunter broke a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the fourth for host Los Angeles. Lackey (10-7) struck out seven and walked.

BLUE JAYS 3, TWINS 2

Jose Bautista hit a solo homer, Brett Cecil won his final start of the season and host Toronto beat Minnesota. Cecil (7-4) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings.