By The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Greg Maddux earned his first victory since rejoining his original team, and Moises Alou and Todd Walker homered to lift the Chicago Cubs over the New York Mets 3-1 Friday.

Maddux (1-2) gave up seven hits, but only one run in seven innings, striking out eight while walking just one. His ERA dropped from 8.62 to 6.35.

Mike Cameron homered and the Mets outhit the Cubs 8-4. But New York stranded seven and didn't have a runner in scoring position after the third.

Jae Seo (0-3) lost despite allowing four hits in six innings.

Brewers 2, Cardinals 1

MILWAUKEE - Craig Counsell hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to send the Cardinals to their first road loss this season.

Brooks Kieschnick (1-0) pitched 2 2-3 hitless innings in relief for the win.

Steve Kline (0-1) blew a strong effort by Chris Carpenter. The Cardinal starter, who missed all of last season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, struck out five in six innings, allowing five hits.

The Cardinals' 6-0 road start was their best since winning 12 straight road games at the start of the 1941 season.

Astros 13, Rockies 7

DENVER - Mike Lamb had four hits and drove in a career-high six runs to help Houston halt a three-game losing streak.

Orlando Palmeiro and Craig Biggio hit two-run homers for the Astros, who improved to 6-1 on the road but are just 4-6 at home.

Brandon Duckworth (1-0) allowed four runs and five hits, winning for the first time since last July 31.

Jason Jennings (1-2) allowed 10 runs and eight hits in five innings.

Royce Clayton and Charles Johnson homered for Colorado.

Braves 6, Marlins 1

MIAMI - Atlanta roughed up Josh Beckett for the second time in a week.

J.D. Drew and Adam LaRoche drove in two runs apiece and the Braves improved to 4-0 against Florida this season. The rest of the league is 1-11 against the defending world champions.

Beckett (1-2), the World Series MVP, gave up six hits and six runs in five innings and lost his second straight start.

Russ Ortiz (2-2) overcame early wildness to beat the Marlins for the second straight time. He allowed a run on four hits and six walks, leaving after 6 1-3 innings.

Phillies 8, Expos 6

MONTREAL - Bobby Abreu had four extra-base hits and five RBIs, and Jim Thome homered for a third straight game to lead Philadelphia.

Kevin Millwood (2-2) got his second straight win against the Expos despite blowing a four-run lead. He allowed five runs - three earned - and 10 hits in six innings. Billy Wagner pitched the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.

Chad Bentz (0-2) took the loss in relief.

Montreal had been the first team to score four runs or fewer in its first 16 games.

Diamondback 5, Padres 2

PHOENIX - Richie Sexson hit a tiebreaking three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning.

Padres starter Adam Eaton (1-1) intentionally walked Luis Gonzalez to get to Sexson, who lined the first pitch 428 feet to center field.

Koplove (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings to get the victory. Matt Mantei retired the side in the ninth to snap a string of two blown saves in a row.

Arizona's Danny Bautista extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the seventh.