The Associated Press

ATLANTA - Russ Ortiz stretched his winning streak to a career-high eight games and hit a homer, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 6-3 victory over the Houston Astros in a matchup of division leaders Tuesday night.

Marcus Giles had a career-high five hits and set an Atlanta record with nine consecutive hits over two games. Gary Sheffield hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth that put the Braves ahead for good.

Ortiz (15-4) allowed three runs in 6 1-3 innings to join Toronto's Roy Halladay as the only 15-game winners in the majors. John Smoltz worked the ninth for his 39th save in 42 chances this season.

Giles followed up two straight four-hit games by going 5-for-5. He broke Jeff Blauser's Atlanta record of eight straight hits and is one shy of the franchise record, set by John Hassett of the Boston Braves in 1940.

Houston starter Roy Oswalt left in the third after reinjuring his right groin, an injury that already has sent him to the disabled list twice this season.

Marlins 2, Diamondbacks 1

MIAMI - Brad Penny allowed one run and four hits in seven-plus innings to lead surging Florida over Arizona, which lost a team-record eighth straight road game.

The Diamondbacks have been outscored 10-8 while playing six consecutive one-run games, another club record. They've lost four of the six.

The Marlins extended their winning streak to five games.

Cubs 3, Giants 0

CHICAGO - Matt Clement pitched a two-hitter and Moises Alou hit a three-run homer in the first inning to lead Chicago. Clement (8-9) struck out eight and walked two in his third career shutout.

San Francisco won 10 of its previous 11 games.

Cardinals 2, Expos 1

MONTREAL - Scott Rolen's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning led St. Louis past Montreal. Garrett Stephenson scattered four hits for his first complete game since Aug. 5, 2000, and outdueled Livan Hernandez in a game that took just 2 hours and 4 minutes.

Rolen was 2-for-3 with two RBI, including a homer in the second inning.

Phillies 2, Dodgers 0

PHILADELPHIA - Vicente Padilla pitched eight shutout innings and Bobby Abreu hit a two-run homer as Philadelphia ended a four-game losing streak.

Padilla (10-8) allowed three hits, struck out four and walked one. Dan Plesac retired one batter in the ninth, and Jose Mesa got the final two outs for his 20th save in 23 opportunities.

Brewers 6, Mets 3

NEW YORK - Royce Clayton hit a three-run homer, and Keith Osik added a solo shot as Milwaukee beat New York.

Clayton and Osik did their damage in the second and fourth innings against Dan Wheeler (0-1), who replaced injured starter Tom Glavine in the second inning.

Padres 8, Pirates 7

PITTSBURGH - Mark Loretta's go-ahead, two-run single followed Rondell White's tying homer in San Diego's four-run ninth inning. The Padres squandered a four-run lead before rallying from a two-run deficit.