Padres End Losing Streak at Eight

Jake Peavy and Trevor Hoffman combined on a three-hitter and Robert Fick singled in the game-winning run with one out in the bottom of the ninth as the San Diego Padres ended a season-high eight-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

Ryan Klesko started the winning rally with a one-out double to left-center off Jason Marquis (9-8) and was replaced by pinch-runner Damian Jackson. Joe Randa was walked intentionally to bring up Fick, who drove a 2-and-1 pitch to right-center to score Jackson.

Hoffman (1-4) took over in the ninth and gave up a single to John Rodriguez. He got Albert Pujols to fly out, intentionally walked Jim Edmonds, struck out John Mabry and got Mark Grudzielanek to fly to right.

Houston 3, Philadelphia 2 -- The streaking Astros won their fourth in a row and 10th in 11 games. They also beat the Phillies for the ninth straight time and improved to 18-2 in their last 20 games at home.

The Astros’ Roger Clemens (9-2) yielded both runs, raising his major league-leading earned-run average from 1.40 to 1.46.

Arizona 3, Milwaukee 0 -- The Diamondbacks scored on a wild pitch and two errors at Milwaukee, giving Claudio Vargas his fourth victory in five decisions. Vargas gave up six hits in six innings, struck out six and walked one to beat Tomo Ohka (6-6).

Florida 3, Pittsburgh 1 -- Juan Encarnacion and Damion Easley homered and rookie Jason Vargas pitched three scoreless innings after a second rain delay at Miami for his first major league victory.

Atlanta 4, Washington 3 -- Jeff Francoeur doubled home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the Braves. Chipper Jones singled with two out and stole second. Adam LaRoche was walked intentionally to bring up Francoeur, who blooped a double to center.

Chicago 4, San Francisco 3 -- Jeromy Burnitz singled in Jody Gerut with the winning run with two out in the bottom of ninth inning, giving the Cubs their fourth win in five games.

New York 9, Colorado 3 -- Marlon Anderson hit two homers, and Ramon Castro homered and had three RBIs to help the Mets avoid a three-game sweep at Coors Field.