Braves Clinch 12th Consecutive Title

The idle Atlanta Braves clinched their 12th consecutive division championship Thursday, winning the NL East Division title when the Philadelphia Phillies rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Florida Marlins.

The San Francisco Giants clinched the NL West on Wednesday night by beating San Diego. That leaves only the Central as the only undecided NL division. The Houston Astros have a one-game lead over the Chicago Cubs.

Houston 6, Colorado 0 -- The Rockies were shut out at Coors Field for the first time in more than four years, with Wade Miller (14-12) and two relievers allowing three hits. The last time Colorado was blanked at home was July 4, 1999 as San Diego’s Andy Ashby pitched a six-hitter.

Philadelphia 5, Florida 4 -- The Phillies won on Jim Thome’s homer -- his 43rd -- in the bottom of the eighth inning. The win moved the Phillies within a half-game of the Marlins in the wild-card race. Thome tied the club record for homers by a left-handed batter, set by Chuck Klein in 1929.

Montreal 1, New York 0 -- At Shea Stadium, Javier Vazquez (13-11) struck out 12 in seven innings, and Todd Zeile led off the top of the fourth inning with a homer. Rookie Chad Cordero of Cal State Fullerton pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

Pittsburgh 7, Cincinnati 0 -- At Pittsburgh, Kip Wells retired the first 17 batters and combined with Brian Meadows on a three-hitter. Wells (9-8) didn’t yield a hit until two outs in the sixth, when Red reliever Scott Randall (2-3) singled to right in his first major league at-bat.

St. Louis 13, Milwaukee 0 -- Edgar Renteria had four hits and five RBIs, and Woody Williams (16-9) yielded three hits in his seven innings at St. Louis.

San Diego 7, San Francisco 3 -- The Padres avoided a four-game sweep at San Francisco and ended a losing streak at six games.