Finley, Batista Help Overpower Padres

Steve Finley hit a three-run home run for the second consecutive game and Miguel Batista pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who beat the San Diego Padres, 6-0, Friday night in San Diego.

Finley continued to beat up on his old team. He hit a three-run homer in the first inning of Thursday’s 9-1 win, then drove a 1-0 pitch from Brian Lawrence into the same section of seats in right field with two out in the third on Friday night.

Finley also scored three runs. He’s hitting .514 (19 for 37) against San Diego this season with four homers and 12 RBIs. Batista (7-4), backed by four double plays, got 19 ground-ball outs. He struck out five and walked one. His only other shutout was June 5, 1999, at Toronto while with Montreal.

Atlanta 11, New York 4 -- Gary Sheffield had five hits in five at-bats, including two homers, and drove in four runs, and Mike Hampton (6-5) won his third consecutive start to lead the Braves at Atlanta.

Sheffield broke out of a one-for-14 slump by tying a career high for hits, and his homer in the fifth inning was his first since June 27, a span of 58 at-bats. He added a three-run homer in the eighth off Graeme Lloyd and scored four runs.

Florida 6, Chicago 0 -- Mark Redman (8-4) yielded four hits in seven innings while striking out nine and combined with two relievers for the Marlins’ sixth shutout of the season.

Ugueth Urbina pitched a perfect eighth in his home debut for the Marlins after being acquired from the Texas Rangers, and Braden Looper pitched the ninth as the Marlins sent the Cubs (47-48) below .500 for the first time this season.

Houston 5, Cincinnati 3 -- One night after they lost Ken Griffey Jr. to a season-ending ankle injury, the Reds fell 8 1/2 games behind the Astros in the Central Division, their biggest deficit of the season. They are 7-16 since June 20.

Richard Hidalgo hit two of Houston’s three homers and Roy Oswalt (6-5) remained unbeaten against the Reds, pitching into the seventh inning at Cincinnati.

Montreal 3, Philadelphia 1 -- Javier Vazquez (7-6) gave up nine hits at Philadelphia for his 13th career complete game and first victory since June 10. He struck out seven and walked none to end a personal three-game losing streak. It was the first time this season the right-hander pitched more than seven innings.

Pittsburgh 7, Milwaukee 2 -- Aramis Ramirez had four hits in four at-bats and drove in three runs for host Pittsburgh to support Jeff Suppan (9-7), who won his fourth consecutive decision.