Marquis Steps Up to Lead Cardinals

Taking on the best pitchers in the National League is becoming a routine occurrence for Jason Marquis.

Marquis added World Series MVP Josh Beckett to the list of pitchers he has outperformed with a dominant outing Friday night, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Florida Marlins, 6-3, at St. Louis. Marquis gave up two runs in 7 2/3 innings.

He faced Randy Johnson and Roy Oswalt in his last two starts but did not get a decision in St. Louis’ two victories.

“I just go out there and try to pitch,” Marquis said. “I can’t worry about who I’m facing. I just try to pitch my game.”

Ray Lankford homered, Hector Luna had two RBI singles and Jim Edmonds doubled twice, drove in a run and scored twice to help the Cardinals win for the fourth time in five games.

Beckett, who shut out the Yankees in Game 6 to clinch the World Series title, gave up six runs and nine hits in six innings.

New York 8, Houston 3 -- Cliff Floyd hit a grand slam at Houston and Mike Piazza had his seventh homer of the season for New York, which has won eight of 12.

Steve Trachsel (4-3) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings, and Ricky Bottalico and Orber Moreno combined for one-hit relief.

Pittsburgh 4, San Francisco 2 -- Daryle Ward tied it with a two-run homer, then singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lead the Pirates at San Francisco. The Giants played without Barry Bonds after the slugger was removed from the lineup because of back spasms.

Montreal 4, Arizona 3 -- Orlando Cabrera’s ninth-inning single scored Endy Chavez to lead the Expos at Phoenix. Montreal ended its four-game losing streak.

Philadelphia 6, Colorado 4 -- Pat Burrell homered and drove in four runs and the Phillies won at Denver. The Phillies improved to 6-1 on their 10-game road trip.

Atlanta 2, Milwaukee 0 -- J.D. Drew and Chipper Jones hit consecutive homers in the eighth inning for the victory at Milwaukee.