The Associated Press

ATLANTA - Something about losing big brings out the best in the Atlanta Braves.

Javy Lopez homered to give the Braves a franchise-record 216 homers this season, and Atlanta rebounded from a big loss to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 Wednesday night.

A day earlier, Philadelphia won 18-5, the fifth time this season the Braves have lost by 10 or more runs. Each time, they've bounced back to win the next game.

"It's not a coincidence," Lopez said. "This is what makes this team better. Once you bounce back, you know you've gotten rid of all the frustration from the night before."

Philadelphia dropped one game behind Florida in the National League wild-card race, and Atlanta lowered its magic number for clinching the National League East to six.

Rookie Horacio Ramirez (10-4) won his second straight decision, allowing six hits in seven innings. He gave up solo homers to Pat Burrell in the second and Tomas Perez in the seventh, and struck out seven without walking a batter.

"I'm just happy to be here," Ramirez said. "Last year at this time, I was in the Instructional League."

The decision on who pitches in October could narrow to between Ramirez and veteran Shane Reynolds, who has been hit hard in two straight starts. In 7 1/3 innings during those two games, he has allowed 11 runs on nine hits.

Marlins 7, Mets 3

NEW YORK - Juan Encarnacion and Derrek Lee hit back-to-back doubles that broke a fifth-inning tie and helped Florida to its 11th victory in its last 13 games.

Errors by third baseman Ty Wigginton and shortstop Jorge Velandia, and a nonchalant play by left fielder Raul Gonzalez led to the first five Florida runs.

Astros 3, Brewers 1

MILWAUKEE - Jeriome Robertson won his 14th game, the most among rookies the season, and Houston regained sole possession of first place in the NL Central after entering the night tied with Chicago. Robertson (14-7) matched the Astros' rookie record for wins, set when Roy Oswalt went 14-3 two years ago.

Expos 8, Cubs 4

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Pinch hitter Jose Macias hit a go-ahead double in a five-run eighth inning, and Montreal overcame a four-run deficit.

Chicago's Matt Clement took a no-hit bid into the sixth. He walked his first three batters in the inning and was replaced by Mark Guthrie, who walked the next two batters, forcing in a pair of runs. Orlando Cabrera followed with an RBI single off Dave Veres.

Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 4

PHOENIX - Steve Finley's three-run homer capped Arizona's five-run rally in the eighth inning.

Finley entered as a pinch hitter to face Paul Quantrill (1-5) after Shea Hillenbrand cut Arizona's deficit to 4-2 with a two-run home run into the bullpen off reliever Tom Martin. Martin also allowed a single to Lyle Overbay and hit Danny Bautista before he was removed to make way for Quantrill.

Cardinals 10, Rockies 2

ST. LOUIS - Albert Pujols hit two home runs and Brett Tomko pitched a six-hitter and had two hits as St. Louis gave Tony La Russa his 2,000th win as a manager. J.D. Drew and Scott Rolen also homered for St. Louis, which remained 2 1/2 games back of first-place Houston in the NL Central.