LaRue snaps Reds out of slump
CINCINNATI -- Jason LaRue hit the first of Cincinnati's four homers as the Reds ended an eight-game losing streak and another disastrous homestand by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 11-3 on Wednesday.
The major leagues' worst home team won at Cinergy Field for the first time in June, finishing a 1-5 homestand that was full of boos and blunders.
Braves 7, Marlins 2
ATLANTA -- Greg Maddux (7-5) allowed only three hits in seven innings as Atlanta beat Florida.
The Braves snapped a three-game home losing streak and avoided dropping into third place behind the Marlins, whose season-high winning streak ended at five.
Phillies 9, Pirates 5
PITTSBURGH -- Omar Daal (8-1) and his defense nearly squandered a seven-run lead, but Philadelphia held on to beat Pittsburgh to end the Pirates' season-high four-game winning streak.
Mets 4, Expos 3
NEW YORK -- Timo Perez and Robin Ventura homered to give the Mets a rare first-inning boost, and New York won its season-high fourth straight game.
Al Leiter (4-5) sent Montreal to its third loss in a row, pitching seven innings and not allowing an earned run.
Astros 7, Rockies 2
HOUSTON -- Wade Miller allowed four hits in seven innings to win his fifth straight home decision as Houston beat Colorado and swept the three-game series.
Miller (8-3) gave up two runs, one walk and struck out six to remain undefeated at Enron Field since Sept. 13, 2000.
Cubs 9, Cardinals 4
ST LOUIS -- Sammy Sosa hit two home runs, including a grand slam, as Chicago snapped a 13-game losing streak at St. Louis.
Julian Tavarez (5-4) allowed two runs, eight hits, walked three and struck out five in seven innings for the Cubs.
Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 3
LOS ANGELES -- Arizona rookie reliever Erik Sabel hit Eric Karros with a pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth to force home the deciding run as Los Angeles beat Arizona.
Giants 8, Padres 6
SAN DIEGO -- Barry Bonds hit his 38th homer and broke two major league records, including one set by Babe Ruth in 1928.
Bonds hit a two-run shot in the eighth inning off reliever Rodney Myers to break a tie with Reggie Jackson (1969) and Mark McGwire (1998) for the most homers before the All-Star break.
Bonds also became the quickest to 38, doing it in his team's 71st game. Ruth hit 38 in 88 games in 1928.