Castilla, Braves Are Too Powerful for the Cubs

Vinny Castilla homered for the second consecutive game and drove in four runs Friday as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Chicago Cubs, 9-5, at Wrigley Field.

In two games against the Cubs, Castilla is six for eight with two home runs and eight runs batted in -- hitting safely in six consecutive at-bats before grounding out in the sixth inning.

There was a scary moment in the second inning when Brave second baseman Marcus Giles collided with Cub starter Mark Prior.

With two out, Prior ran from first on a grounder hit toward Giles when the two slammed into each other. Prior’s left knee hit Giles flush in the face as the pitcher toppled over Giles, falling onto his right shoulder.

Giles walked off the field and was replaced by Mark DeRosa. He was taken to a hospital with a mild concussion and was released.

St. Louis 4, San Diego 2 -- Woody Williams (12-3) didn’t allow a baserunner until the sixth inning and had a sacrifice fly in a decisive two-run seventh inning at St. Louis. He walked Gary Bennett with one out to end his string. Mark Kotsay hit a two-run homer for the Padres’ first hit.

Cincinnati 6, Milwaukee 1 -- At Milwaukee, Ken Griffey Jr. homered for the fourth game in a row and Ryan Dempster (3-6) pitched seven strong innings to help the Reds end an eight-game losing streak. Griffey’s home run was the 480th of his career.

Houston 4, Pittsburgh 2 -- At Houston, Wade Miller (6-9) managed to beat Jeff D’Amico (6-9) and the Pirates for the first time in three meetings. Miller gave up one run and four hits in six innings. He was 0-2 in matchups with D’Amico this year.

Philadelphia 10, New York 3 -- Pat Burrell homered to cap a four-run first inning and Mike Lieberthal drove in two runs during a six-run fifth at Shea Stadium. The Phillies won their fourth in a row and improved to 4-1 on their trip.

Florida 5, Montreal 4 -- Pinch-hitter Todd Hollandsworth led off the ninth inning with a game-tying homer and Juan Encarnacion singled in the go-ahead run later in the inning at Montreal.