The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - The Arizona Diamondbacks couldn't have had a better start to the second half.

Curt Schilling pitched seven strong innings to win for the first time since returning from the disabled list and the Diamondbacks routed the last-place San Diego Padres 9-1 on Thursday.

Schilling said he still has work to do after his six-week layoff with a broken right hand, but his manager was impressed.

"This was a real good step in the right direction," Bob Brenly said.

Former Padres star Steve Finley hit a three-run homer in the first inning to start the Diamondbacks' scoring barrage. Finley had three hits and Luis Gonzalez three runs.

Arizona, which started the day five games behind NL West leader San Francisco, won for the 20th time in 26 games. And the Diamondbacks could get Randy Johnson back Sunday following a 2 1/2-month layoff.

Schilling (5-4) allowed just one run - unearned because of his error - and eight hits, struck out eight and walked one in his second start since coming off the DL.

He missed six weeks after a line drive by San Diego's Sean Burroughs hit him on the back of the right hand here on May 30, breaking two bones. He had been hit on the right index finger by Ramon Vazquez's comebacker on his first pitch of that game.

Schilling returned Saturday but lost 8-1 to the San Francisco Giants, allowing a 448-foot home run to Barry Bonds.

Against the Padres, he allowed just an unearned run. Sean Burroughs' single in the first scored Mark Loretta, who had beat out an infield single and advanced on Schilling's errant pickoff throw.

"I felt better," Schilling said. "I still have a ways to go. There's still some things that don't feel right, but when your offense goes out and does what it did today, it's a fun environment to pitch in."

Schilling said his velocity isn't anywhere near where he wants it to be. He didn't feel he threw a good fastball until the seventh inning.

"It's a work in progress," Schilling said. "I've always taken a lot of pride in being able to reach back and get four or five miles an hour, and I noticed in my rehab a couple of times, I tried it and it didn't happen. It hasn't happened as consistently as I'd like it to."

Braves 3, Mets 2

ATLANTA - Mark DeRosa's check-swing infield single in the ninth inning scored Vinny Castilla from third and gave Greg Maddux and Atlanta the win.

With New York playing its first game since trading closer Armando Benitez, Atlanta loaded the bases with one out against John Franco (0-2). DeRosa then hit a dribbler to second baseman Joe McEwing, who couldn't come up with the ball as Castilla scored the winning run.

Maddux (8-8) pitched an eight-hitter for his first complete game of the season.

Brewers 7, Pirates 5

PITTSBURGH - John Vander Wal's third grand slam this season helped open a seven-run lead, and Milwaukee Brewers overcame Craig Wilson's pinch-hit slam to hold off Pittsburgh.

Even with a 7-0 lead, Brewers starter Wayne Franklin (6-6) lasted only one out into the sixth inning after allowing Wilson's team-record ninth career pinch-hit homer in the fifth.