The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Even after another stirring home victory, there wasn't much joy in the San Francisco Giants' clubhouse.

Neifi Perez doubled home Yorvit Torrealba with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Giants won their fifth straight game with a patchwork lineup, beating the Florida Marlins 3-2 Saturday.

The teams and fans at Pacific Bell Park observed a moment of silence before the game for Bobby Bonds, the former San Francisco star who died of cancer earlier in the day. His son, Barry, will be away from the Giants indefinitely - and the slugger's teammates also had heavy hearts.

"As soon as we got here and we knew that Barry Bonds' father died, it was sad," said Perez, who had two doubles. "But we're professionals. We have to play the game, and we're glad we won the game for him."

Jeffrey Hammonds homered for the Giants, who rested regulars Rich Aurilia, Benito Santiago and Marquis Grissom. With a strong start from Dustin Hermanson and outstanding relief by Jim Brower (8-4), San Francisco got its sixth straight home victory - and its 21st in its last 24 games.

The Giants have maintained position for a playoff spot all summer despite a series of injuries and sadness. Earlier in the season, Jason Schmidt's mother died of a brain tumor.

"There's not many players whose dad or mom dies while they're still active. We've had it two times this year," manager Felipe Alou said.

The Marlins lost their fifth straight but didn't lose any ground in the NL wild-card race, thanks to the Phillies' loss to St. Louis. Florida is 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia.

Braves 5, Rockies 4

DENVER - Mike Hampton, a former Rockie, won in his return to Coors Field, earning his ninth straight victory for Atlanta. Gary Sheffield had a three-run double, Andruw Jones hit his 31st homer of the season and Javy Lopez got three hits for the Braves.

Jay Payton homered and drove in two runs for Colorado.

Brewers 7, Pirates 6

MILWAUKEE - Royce Clayton hit a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning to send Milwaukee to its season-high fifth straight victory.

The Brewers blew a 6-3 lead entering the ninth inning. Brian Giles had an RBI single and Matt Stairs hit a two-out, two-run homer off Brewers reliever Leo Estrella (5-1).

Cardinals 5, Phillies 3

ST. LOUIS - Sterling Hitchcock won in his St. Louis debut, pitching an inning of scoreless relief for St. Louis.

Jim Edmonds had four hits and Matt Morris allowed a run over five innings in his first start since July 21 for the Cardinals, who beat the Phillies for the first time in eight games.

Albert Pujols was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Phillies starter Amaury Telemaco to start the sixth inning. Pujols, who went 0-for-5 Friday to snap his 30-game hitting, remained in the game and scored the tying run.

Hitchcock, who was acquired Friday from the New York Yankees, took over for Morris to start the sixth with the Cardinals trailing 1-0. He allowed a hit to Bobby Abreu to start the inning, but escaped unscathed.

Diamondbacks 13, Cubs 2

PHOENIX - Danny Bautista and Robby Hammock each matched a career high with four RBI for Arizona.

The Diamondbacks closed within 2 1/2 games of Philadelphia for the National League wild-card berth with the win, their fourth in seven contests.

Cubs center fielder Kenny Lofton made his first error in 265 games, ending the longest errorless streak in the majors among outfielders. His previous error came Sept. 2, 2001, when he was with Cleveland.