Mets Reverse Course Against Giants, 5-1

Steve Trachsel was tired of hearing about the New York Mets’ struggles at Pacific Bell Park. So he did what he could to reverse his team’s fortunes.

Trachsel became the first Met pitcher to go more than seven innings this season and Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer as the Mets beat the Giants, 5-1, Saturday at San Francisco.

The Mets had lost their first 12 regular-season games at the new ballpark. They split two playoff games in 2000.

Trachsel (2-2) pitched eight innings, giving up one run and four hits in the longest outing for a Met pitcher since Al Leiter went 8 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 17.

Chicago 2, St. Louis 1 -- Pinch-hitter Mark Bellhorn homered leading off the ninth inning and the Cubs won at St. Louis. The National League Central leaders have won six of seven overall but only two of their last 11 at Busch Stadium. Mark Prior gave up a run and six hits with six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings, lowering his NL-best ERA to 2.02, and also went three for three.

Atlanta 12, San Diego 2 -- Gary Sheffield hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, and Vinny Castilla homered twice to lead the Braves at San Diego. San Diego fired pitching coach Greg Booker before the game. He will be replaced by Darren Balsley, the pitching coach of double-A Mobile (Ala.)

Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 6 -- Eddie Perez hit a three-run homer off Scott Williamson (3-2) in the bottom of the ninth, the Brewers’ first game-winner since Richie Sexson connected off Houston’s Mike Jackson on Sept. 1, 2001. Adam Dunn’s major league-leading 16th homer for the Reds was his sixth in his last six games.

Pittsburgh 8, Arizona 5 -- Kevin Young hit a three-run homer and the Pirates won a series at Phoenix for the first time since 1998. Kenny Lofton singled in their four-run fifth to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.

Philadelphia 9, Houston 4 -- Placido Polanco homered, doubled, singled and scored three runs to lead the Phillies at Houston.