Hernandez Leads Mets in Phoenix

Orlando Hernandez pitched a three-hitter against his former team to lead the New York Mets to a 7-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in a showdown of division leaders in Phoenix on Thursday.

Hernandez (4-5) took a shutout into the ninth and picked up his ninth career complete game and first since Sept. 16, 2000, for the Yankees against Cleveland. The 36-year-old Cuban struck out three and walked two on 114 pitches.

Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer, his 15th, to back Hernandez, whom the National League East leaders acquired from Arizona for reliever Jorge Julio on May 24.

The Diamondbacks have lost four straight. The NL West leaders have been outscored 24-5 in the three games since they learned federal agents had searched the home of former reliever Jason Grimsley in a steroid investigation.

San Francisco 5, Pittsburgh 4 -- Eliezer Alfonzo scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Matt Capps with two out in the ninth inning, and the Giants rallied at home.

Moises Alou hit a two-run homer and was at the plate with the bases loaded when Capps bounced a pitch past catcher Ronny Paulino and Alfonzo scurried home.

Houston 7, Atlanta 4 -- Lance Berkman homered twice and Orlando Palmeiro had a pinch-hit, two-run single to lead the host Astros.

Berkman had a solo shot and a three-run drive, his second multi-homer game of the season and 16th of his career.

Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3 -- Bill Hall homered to lead off the bottom of the 10th for the Brewers, who were saved by a two-out error in the ninth.

Padres closer Trevor Hoffman took a 3-2 lead into the ninth. With two out and a runner on first, shortstop Khalil Greene misplayed a grounder by Rickie Weeks and Brady Clark followed with a tying single.

Cincinnati 7, Chicago 1 -- Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homer and the host Reds won their eighth straight game. Cincinnati opened June five games behind St. Louis in the NL Central but jumped a half-game ahead of the idle Cardinals with the win.

Washington 5, Philadelphia 2 -- Alfonso Soriano hit his 23rd home run and scored four runs for the Nationals, who ended the Phillies’ four-game winning streak and gave themselves a positive start to a season-high 11-game homestand.