Good Start for Biggio and Astros

Rookie Jeriome Robertson pitched seven strong innings for his first career victory and Craig Biggio set the National League record with his 31st leadoff home run as the Astros beat the Cincinnati Reds, 4-2, Thursday night at Houston.

Robertson (1-1) gave up only two hits while striking out eight and walking three. He retired the last 11 batters he faced.

Octavio Dotel struck out the side in order in the eighth inning and Billy Wagner finished for his third save.

With a homer off Danny Graves to start the game, Biggio broke the NL mark for leadoff homers set by Bobby Bonds. Rickey Henderson holds the major league record with 80 leadoff home runs.

Jeff Kent had an RBI double and Richard Hidalgo hit an RBI single in the inning to make it 3-0.

Graves (0-1) gave up four runs -- three earned -- and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

“You’re going to go through those spurts when the other pitcher dominates,” Graves said. “Tonight, the other pitcher just gave up two hits and there’s just nothing you can do when the other pitcher is on like that.”

Houston has won six of eight games.

Florida 4, New York 3 -- Juan Pierre drove in two runs with a two-out single off Armando Benitez in the bottom of the ninth, and the Marlins scored four times in the final two innings to win at Miami.

The Marlins’ comeback spoiled a strong showing by Tom Glavine, who pitched six shutout innings.

New York’s Cliff Floyd homered against his former team.

Colorado 7, St. Louis 6 -- Todd Helton hit a solo homer and Jose Hernandez had a two-run shot in the eighth inning to help the Rockies rally at Denver. Colorado turned its first triple play in franchise history in the sixth.

St. Louis put runners on first and second with no outs when Orlando Palmeiro lined into a triple play. With both runners moving, Helton caught the soft liner to first base and threw to Hernandez at second.

Montreal 7, Chicago 1 -- Tony Armas Jr. struck out a career-high 11 batters in seven scoreless innings to help the Expos win at Chicago and avoid a three-game sweep. Vladimir Guerrero homered and drove in three runs for the Expos.

Pittsburgh 3, Milwaukee 1 -- Randall Simon hit a three-run home run in the first inning to support Jeff Suppan’s second consecutive strong start to help the Pirates win at home and avoid a three-game sweep.

Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 2 -- Andruw Jones and Robert Fick both homered to help the Braves win at Philadelphia.