Clark Can Cut It in Atlanta

Will Clark doesn’t know why he hits so well against the Atlanta Braves. He’s just glad he does.

Clark hit two home runs and Garrett Stephenson allowed seven hits over 6 2/3 innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Braves, 6-3, Saturday night at Atlanta.

Clark led off the second with a homer, had an RBI double in the third and another solo home run in the fifth as St. Louis broke out to a 5-0 lead.

“I think when you face guys who are some of the better guys in the league, you should get motivated,” said Clark, who hit both home runs off Kevin Millwood (8-9) and is batting .500 (11 for 22) at Turner Field. “You know when you face an Atlanta staff, you have to execute.”

Stephenson (15-7) did not allow a run until Rafael Furcal’s sacrifice fly in the seventh. He was replaced by Matt Morris with two outs in the inning and the bases loaded. Morris got Chipper Jones to fly out to end the threat.

Colorado 11, Pittsburgh 4--Todd Walker hit a home run in a four-run Colorado first inning that was extended by Aramis Ramirez’s two-run throwing error at Pittsburgh as the Rockies moved above .500 at 65-64. Todd Helton went two for four to improve his average to .393.

Philadelphia 5, San Francisco 2--Scott Rolen hit a two-run triple and Pat Burrell had a two-run double for the Phillies at Philadelphia. The Phillies scored all of their runs with two out.

Montreal 5, Houston 4--Dustin Hermanson took a shutout into the ninth inning for the second consecutive start, and Jose Vidro hit his 21st homer at Montreal as the Expos ended a home losing streak at nine games.

Hermanson (10-11) allowed eight hits and one walk before leaving after Moises Alou’s one-out RBI single in the ninth. Steve Kline came in and gave up an infield single to pinch-hitter Chris Truby and Tony Eusebio followed with a three-run double. Kline then retired Tim Bogar and pinch-hitter Mitch Meluskey.

Milwaukee 6, San Diego 5--James Mouton had a two-run single in the 10th inning off Trevor Hoffman as the Brewers rallied to win at Milwaukee after Marquis Grissom’s error in the top of the inning helped the Padres take a 5-4 lead. Hoffman (4-5) struck out the first two batters before Luis Lopez singled and Grissom reached base on Damian Jackson’s throwing error.

Cincinnati 3, Florida 2--Pete Harnisch shut out the Marlins for 4 1/3 innings after a 2-hour, 40-minute rain delay in the second inning, and the Reds needed only five hits to win at Miami.