Smoltz Gets Braves Past Cardinals, 2-1

John Smoltz gave up nine hits and four walks -- both season highs -- but managed to last 6 2/3 innings to earn his second consecutive victory, out-dueling Jeff Suppan to lead the Atlanta Braves past the St. Louis Cardinals, 2-1, Sunday at Atlanta.

The Braves won for the eighth time in 10 games despite being outhit, 10-4. They won two of three from St. Louis in a weekend series matching two of the National League’s best teams. Each game was decided by one run.

Smoltz (2-3) wasn’t at his best. Trying to shake off a cold, he was put to the test by one of the league’s most potent lineups.

“I was not going to give in,” he said. “I wanted to make them hit my pitch. They laid off a lot of good ones.”

Smoltz had the only hit against Suppan (2-3) through the first five innings, but the Braves put together two hits in the sixth.

Wilson Betemit led off with a walk, moved to second on Smoltz’s bunt and scored on Rafael Furcal’s double down the third base line. Ryan Langerhans drove in Furcal with a single to right-center field.

San Francisco 8, Pittsburgh 3 -- Moises Alou and Lance Niekro hit two-run homers at Pittsburgh, and the Giants used a solid start by Brad Hennessey (1-0) to complete a three-game sweep against left-handed starters.

Philadelphia 8, Florida 6 -- Bobby Abreu hit a three-run homer, and the Phillies jumped on Josh Beckett (4-2) for five runs in the first inning at Philadelphia.

Milwaukee 13, Cincinnati 3 -- Lyle Overbay had a career-high five hits, including a three-run homer, and Doug Davis (3-3) pitched a five-hitter to lead the host Brewers to their fourth win in a row.

Houston 9, Chicago 3 -- Mike Lamb hit his first career grand slam and drove in five runs, and the host Astros roughed up Mark Prior (3-1) to offset the loss of Roy Oswalt (4-2) in the sixth inning because of a sprained right foot.

Arizona 5, San Diego 2 -- Javier Vazquez (3-2) pitched a six-hitter at San Diego for his first complete game in two seasons, and Shawn Green had three hits, including a run-scoring double.

New York 6, Washington 3 -- Carlos Beltran had three hits, including a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning, and the Mets rallied to end a four-game losing streak.