Vintage Maddux Defeats Mets, 3-1

Greg Maddux watched as all the other Chicago Cub starters but him got victories. Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano, Matt Clement and rookie Sergio Mitre were ahead of the four-time Cy Young Award winner.

Maddux changed that Friday, beating the New York Mets, 3-1, at Wrigley Field for his first victory since rejoining his original team. It was the 290th win of his career, and first in a Cub uniform since Sept. 30, 1992.

Maddux (1-2) gave up seven hits but only one run in seven innings, and he worked out of a none-out, bases-loaded jam in the third. After getting Mike Piazza to ground into a double play, he struck out Mike Cameron. He didn’t allow a runner into scoring position after the inning.

Atlanta 6, Florida 1 -- At Miami, the Braves roughed up Marlin ace Josh Beckett (1-2) and improved to 4-0 against the World Series champions. Beckett (1-2) gave up six hits and six runs in five innings.

Cincinnati 6, Pittsburgh 4 -- Adam Dunn hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning after Pirate starter Kip Wells’ throwing error on a potential inning-ending double play ball at Pittsburgh.

Philadelphia 8, Montreal 6 -- Bobby Abreu had four extra-base hits and five RBIs, and Jim Thome homered for the third game in a row to lead the Phillies at Montreal.

Milwaukee 2, St. Louis 1 -- Craig Counsell hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning, sending the Cardinals to their first road loss.

Houston 13, Colorado 7 -- Mike Lamb had four hits and drove in a career-high six runs at Coors Field to help the Astros stop a three-game losing streak.

Arizona 5, San Diego 2 -- Richie Sexson’s three-run home run with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Diamondbacks the victory. Adam Eaton (1-1) intentionally walked Luis Gonzalez to get to Sexson, who lined the first pitch 428 feet over the center-field wall.

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Diamondback second baseman Roberto Alomar underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand.