Streaking Giants Beat Diamondbacks

Damian Moss pitched seven strong innings and the San Francisco Giants beat Arizona ace Curt Schilling for the second time in 10 days to win their sixth straight game, 3-1, on Tuesday night at San Francisco.

“Good pitching, huh?” Giant Manager Felipe Alou said. “[Moss] was a very aggressive pitcher tonight. He threw his fastball to almost any spot he wanted to throw it and he threw some curveballs he hasn’t been throwing. I see a better, more compact delivery that leads to better location.”

Marquis Grissom had two hits, including an RBI single, and the Giants increased their NL West lead to nine games over the second-place Diamondbacks. It is San Francisco’s largest margin since finishing 11 games ahead of the Dodgers in 2000.

Barry Bonds had an RBI single in the first and Pedro Feliz singled in a run in the second. The Giants won for the 11th time in 14 games.

San Diego 3, St. Louis 2 -- Oliver Perez pitched seven solid innings and Rondell White drove in two runs for the Padres at San Diego.

Perez (4-4) gave up two runs and seven hits, striking out seven and walking one.

San Diego beat St. Louis for the second straight game after dropping 29 of 34 to the Cardinals, dating to the start of the 1999 season.

Rod Beck pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 11 chances.

Cardinal left-hander Jeff Fassero (1-5) turned in a solid performance in his first start in nearly two years. Fassero replaced the struggling Garrett Stephenson in the rotation and gave up one run in four innings.

Fassero, who had made 168 relief appearances since his last start on Aug. 8, 2000, struck out seven and walked one.

Houston 2, Pittsburgh 0 -- Jeriome Robertson shut out the Pirates on three hits for 7 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh to win his ninth straight decision.

Morgan Ensberg hit his 19th homer and Robertson added an RBI single as the teams split the two-game series.

Robertson (10-3) remained unbeaten since April 25, a span of 15 appearances. He retired 16 of 17 batters before being lifted after pinch-hitter Adam Hyzdu singled in the eighth.

New York 7, Philadelphia 5 -- Ty Wigginton, Jason Phillips and Roger Cedeno each had two RBIs at Philadelphia.

Steve Trachsel (9-6) gave up four runs -- three earned -- and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, helping the Mets complete just their second sweep this season. New York, which took two games from the Phillies after losing four straight in Atlanta, swept a three-game set against Cincinnati earlier this month.

Dan Wheeler got the final out for his second save, striking out Pat Burrell with runners on second and third.

The NL wild card-leading Phillies have lost two straight after winning eight of 10.

Atlanta 8, Chicago 4 -- Greg Maddux won his third straight start to go over .500 for the first time this season and Vinny Castilla hit a two-run homer at Atlanta.

Maddux (9-8) gave up two runs, five hits and no walks in seven innings. The Braves won for the 14th time in 16 games and stretched their NL East lead over Philadelphia to a season-high 10 1/2 games.

Milwaukee 6, Cincinnati 4 -- Brewer shortstop Bill Hall drove in two runs with a triple and a double at Cincinnati in his first start of the season.

The Reds hit two batters -- one with the bases loaded -- and the majors’ worst defense committed two more errors, setting up an unearned Milwaukee run. Cincinnati leads the majors with 94 errors.

Florida 9, Montreal 1 -- Carl Pavano pitched a four-hitter at Miami as the Marlins dropped the Expos to .500 for the first time since April 9.

Pavano (7-10), traded by the Expos to Florida on July 11 last year, struck out two and walked one in his third career complete game.