CINCINNATI — Ian Desmond made two errors at shortstop that helped the Cincinnati Reds take the game to extra innings, then led off the 11th with his first home run of the season to rally the Washington Nationals to a 7-6 victory Saturday.
Bryce Harper also homered for the Nationals, who were coming off a 15-0 loss in the series opener — their most lopsided defeat since baseball returned to Washington in 2005. The Reds hit six homers in that one.
Washington got the better of it this time, hitting five homers to Cincinnati’s one. The teams have combined for 12 homers, accounting for 20 of the 28 runs in the series.
Wilson Ramos hit two for the Nationals, including a solo shot off J.J. Hoover (0-2) in the 11th for a 7-5 lead.
Desmond’s two errors led to a pair of runs that helped the Reds rally from a 5-1 deficit against one of the NL’s best bullpens.
Nationals closer Rafael Soriano blew a save for the first time in three chances. He gave up a leadoff homer to Shin-Soo Choo in the ninth before Joey Votto tripled — his first extra-base hit of the season — and scored on a wild pitch.
Craig Stammen (1-0) pitched the last two innings. He gave up a two-out RBI double to Brandon Phillips before fanning Jay Bruce to end it.

CARDINALS 6, GIANTS 3
SAN FRANCISCO — Carlos Beltran hit a go-ahead, two-run single against his former team and Shelby Miller beat the reigning World Series champions in his second career start as St. Louis defeated San Francisco to spoil Buster Posey’s MVP party.
Pete Kozma had three hits, drove in a run and scored for the Cardinals from the No. 8 spot in the order. Matt Holliday singled in a run and Matt Carpenter added an RBI single in the ninth.
Beltran also hit an RBI single in the first against Ryan Vogelsong (0-1) in a matchup of teams that won the past three World Series — and a rematch of last fall’s NLCS won by the Giants in seven games.
Hunter Pence hit a solo homer for the Giants and Pablo Sandoval homered and had an RBI single.
Posey received his NL MVP plaque in a pregame ceremony. The Giants will have yet another day of celebrating Sunday with the World Series ring presentation.
Miller (1-0), the Cardinals’ top pitching prospect, allowed two runs in 5 1-3 innings. Mitchell Boggs, filling in for injured closer Jason Motte, finished for his first save.

METS 7, MARLINS 3
NEW YORK — John Buck drove in four runs and was part of a rare umpire’s call that helped New York beat Miami.
Collin Cowgill homered, David Wright got three hits and slumping Ike Davis added a pair of singles to lift the Mets on a brisk afternoon at Citi Field.
New York led 3-2 in the seventh inning moments before plate umpire Jim Joyce made the unusual call.
Juan Pierre was at second base and Greg Dobbs hit a two-out single. Pierre dashed home easily with the tying run as right fielder Mike Baxter’s throw was 10 feet wide of Buck at the plate. Pierre crossed home but then collided with Buck as the catcher planted to try and throw out Dobbs at second.
Joyce immediately called Pierre for interference and ruled Dobbs out, ending the inning.
New York then scored three times to break away. Daniel Murphy hit an RBI triple, Wright singled home a run and Buck had a sacrifice fly. Catcher Miguel Olivo contributed to Miami’s problems in the seventh with two throwing errors on steals at second base.
Brandon Lyon (1-0) pitched one scoreless inning. Ryan Webb (0-1) took the loss.