NL | Astros pitcher Brandon Backe makes case to play every day

Brandon Backe loves to bat, slide and play the field. All things being equal, he'd rather be an everyday player than a pitcher.

On Sunday, he was about as close to Mr. Everything as he could get. He pitched seven-plus innings, went 2 for 3 with a double and scored twice in Houston's 5-0 victory over the Nationals in Washington, D.C.

"I would just love to be an everyday player — diving catches, running into the wall, getting dirty," said Backe (6-9), who is batting .345. "I'm just sad I didn't get to slide today."

About the only thing he didn't do was execute a squeeze play in the fourth inning, instead fouling off a pitch.

"We feel like we're playing with nine instead of eight. Backe's a good hitter," Astros outfielder Carlos Lee said.

"Everybody on the team knows I take pride in hitting," Backe said. "I can't imagine anybody working on it more than me, to be honest with you."

The right-hander also turned in his best game to date on the mound, allowing only five hits.

"Brandon Backe, Brandon Backe, Brandon Backe, Brandon Backe, that was what we got today," Houston manager Cecil Cooper said. "Two for 3. Scored a couple of runs. Seven shutout innings. What could you say? He threw over 100 pitches. I thought he was really, really good."

Atlanta: Bobby Cox notched his 2,300 career win, fourth all-time among managers. ... RHP Tim Hudson made the first relief appearance of his nine-year career, pitching a perfect eighth inning at San Diego.

Chicago: Injured OF Alfonso Soriano (broken hand) is aiming for a July 24 return to the Cubs.

Cincinnati: RHP Aaron Harang went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm.

Colorado: The Rockies' 39-57 record is the third worst at the All-Star break for a team coming off a World Series appearance in a non-strike year, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Florida: All-Star SS Hanley Ramirez was rested for precautionary reasons. He has a sore right shoulder.

Los Angeles: Dodgers closer Takashi Saito, who left Saturday's game with tightness in his right elbow, will have an MRI today.

Milwaukee: LHP CC Sabathia's homer against Cincinnati extended the Brewers' home-run streak to 13 games.

New York: RHP Mike Pelfrey has won six straight starts and hasn't allowed a run in a career-best 16 consecutive innings.

Philadelphia: SS Jimmy Rollins stole two bases, giving him 38 straight over two seasons. He's 24 for 24 this year.

Pittsburgh: The Pirates unexpectedly have one of the NL's best offenses, but the pitching staff's 5.19 ERA is the worst in the majors.

St. Louis: Former coach and player Dave Ricketts, a reserve catcher on the Cardinals' 1967 World Series championship team, died at age 73.

San Diego: 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff has hit safely in 17 of his past 21 games while hitting .341.

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