Rolen Leads Cardinals

Scott Rolen had three hits and two RBIs in his return to the lineup two days after he was hit in the helmet with a pitch, leading the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2, Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals swept the four-game series and improved to 19-9 on the road, best in the National League. No visiting team has won more games at PNC Park than the Cardinals, who are 22-6 there. The Pirates are a league-worst 9-18 at home.

Atlanta 8, Philadelphia 4 -- Julio Franco became the oldest player in major league history to hit a grand slam, connecting in the first inning to lead the Braves at Atlanta. The 45-year-old Franco hit the first pitch he saw from Josh Hancock into the seats in right field. Carlton Fisk held the previous record with his grand slam in 1991 at 43 years old.

New York 4, Florida 1 -- The Mets spoiled pitcher A.J. Burnett’s return to the majors at Shea Stadium. It was the Mets’ fourth win in a row and put them 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Marlins in the East Division. Burnett, coming back from elbow ligament surgery, pitched four innings and gave up two runs. The game was the first for Burnett since April 25, 2003.

Arizona 11, San Francisco 5 -- Luis Gonzalez doubled and scored the tying run, then drove in two more with a triple at Phoenix.