By The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Mike Matheny saved St. Louis with a super play behind the plate, and the Cardinals held off the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 Tuesday night.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, Jason Isringhausen struck out Pat Burrell swinging at a high fastball. The ball deflected off Matheny's glove all the way to the backstop, but the two-time Gold Glove chased it down. With no play at the plate, he fired a long throw to first, getting Burrell by a half-step.

Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds each drove in two runs for St. Louis.

Bobby Abreu homered twice, and Jim Thome and Burrell also connected off Chris Carpenter (2-1). Isringhausen struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.

Brett Myers (0-2) allowed six runs - three earned - and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Diamondbacks 6, Cubs 3

CHICAGO - Steve Sparks (2-1) got his first victory as a starter since Aug. 16, 2002, holding Chicago scoreless until Sammy Sosa's three-run homer in the eighth. New closer Jose Valverde struck out the side in the ninth for his save.

Matt Kata singled, doubled and tripled for Arizona, then grounded out in the sixth and struck out in the eighth.

Sergio Mitre (1-2) gave up four runs and seven hits in four innings.

Astros 4, Pirates 3

HOUSTON - Andy Pettitte (2-1) struck out eight over five innings to get his first victory in Houston for his hometown Astros. He allowed two hits in five innings, including a first-inning homer by Jack Wilson.

In his first home start, Pettitte allowed six runs an 11 hits over 5 1-3 innings in a loss to San Francisco on April 6 and injured his left elbow on a checked swing.

Craig Biggio hit his 36th career leadoff homer and Jeff Kent added a two-run shot off Josh Fogg (0-4). After Pittsburgh closed within a run in the eighth, Brad Lidge got five outs for his first save.

Mets 6, Giants 2

NEW YORK - Steve Trachsel (3-3) held down a lineup missing Barry Bonds, sidelined by a sinus infection, allowing two runs - one earned - and five hits in eight innings.

Mike Cameron lined a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning and had three hits, as did slumping Kaz Matsui.

All five runs off Brett Tomko (1-2) were unearned. Edgar Alfonzo made his first two errors of the season and let another ball escape him at second.

Expos 10, Rockies 4

MONTREAL - Terrmel Sledge hit his first career homer, Endy Chavez had a three-run shot and Jose Vidro also connected for Montreal, which beat Jason Jennings (1-4) to win consecutive games for just the second time this year.

The Expos (7-20) lost nine of 10 before a 6-4 win at Los Angeles on Sunday, when they matched their previous season high for runs.

Montreal drew 4,001 for its fourth game at Olympic Stadium - the Expos' smallest home crowd since Sept. 5, 2002.

Colorado's Jeromy Burnitz and Royce Clayton homered off Claudio Vargas (2-1).

Braves 4, Padres 2

ATLANTA - Russ Ortiz (3-3) allowed one run and four hits in 6 1-3 innings, and Damon Hollins had a career-high three RBIs as the Braves returned following a two-week road trip, their longest this season.

Chris Reitsma and John Smoltz each pitched an inning, with Smoltz working the ninth for his fourth save.

Adam Eaton (1-2) gave up four runs - two earned - and six hits in seven innings.

Dodgers 4, Marlins 3

MIAMI - Adrian Beltre hit a tying single with two outs in the ninth, then singled off Justin Wayne (2-1) in the 11th and scored when pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz's grounder went through Mike Mordecai's legs at third base for an error

Armando Benitez blew a save for the first time this season, and Florida made four errors in losing its fourth straight.

Eric Gagne got three outs for his eighth save, extending his major league record to 71 straight. Duaner Sanchez (1-0) worked 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the Dodgers, an NL-best 16-9.