The Associated Press

NEW YORK - After starting in nearly 1,200 consecutive games, sitting in the dugout through the first seven innings was a new experience for Kaz Matsui.

The Mets shortstop was on the field at the end of the game, though, mobbed by happy teammates after his game-winning double in the 11th inning lifted New York to a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

"Mentally, it was relaxing, as well as physically, having a few innings off," Matsui said through an interpreter.

Matsui, who had started 1,143 consecutive games in Japan and his first 30 with the Mets, entered as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and scored as New York rallied from a 5-3 deficit to tie it.

In the 11th, Matsui drove a ball over the head of center fielder Scott Podsednik to score Todd Zeile with the winning run and help the Mets avert a weekend sweep.

"I don't know what it did for him," Mets manager Art Howe said, "but it sure made the rest of us feel good."

Astros 2, Braves 1

ATLANTA - Andy Pettitte won a pitching duel with Russ Ortiz, and Houston scored the tiebreaking run when backup Orlando Palmeiro walked with the bases loaded. Pettitte (3-1) allowed just two hits and a run in six innings. He improved to 4-0 in his career against the Braves, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Each team had only three hits. Ortiz (3-4) was the hard-luck loser, giving up only two hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Dodgers 9, Pirates 7, 14 innings

PITTSBURGH - Olmedo Saenz hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 14th, and Los Angeles overcame a wild eighth inning in which its bullpen walked in four runs.

The Dodgers improved the NL's best record to 20-10 by winning their fourth in a row and seventh in nine games.

The Pirates were swept for a second straight series - they dropped three in Houston last week - and have lost nine of 11.

Cardinals 5, Expos 2

MONTREAL - Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered, and Chris Carpenter pitched eight impressive innings for St. Louis. Carpenter (3-1) scattered four hits and struck out four.

Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his fifth save in six chances as the Cardinals improved to an NL-best 10-5 away from home.

Marlins 7, Padres 4

MIAMI - Miguel Cabrera hit his league-leading 11th home run, and Josh Beckett pitched six strong innings for Florida. Cabrera homered for the second straight day, a three-run shot in the second inning. Beckett (3-2) allowed one run and five hits in his second win in three starts. Armando Benitez got one out for his 13th save in 14 chances. Alex Gonzalez also homered for Florida.

Cubs 5, Rockies 4, 13 innings

CHICAGO - Corey Patterson hit a bases-loaded single with two outs in the 13th inning off Jeff Fassero (0-2) to give Chicago the victory. Glendon Rusch (1-0) got the win with two scoreless innings. Aramis Ramirez hit a two-out homer in the bottom of the 10th off Rockies closer Shawn Chacon to tie it. The Rockies had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the 10th when Todd Helton homered on Joe Borowski's first pitch.

Phillies 7, Diamondbacks 1

PHOENIX - Brett Myers earned his first win of the season by pitching seven strong innings and Philadelphia completed a three-game sweep of Arizona.

Marlon Byrd hit a leadoff homer and scored three times to help Philadelphia (15-14) move above .500 for the first time this season. Jimmy Rollins was 4-for-5 with an RBI.

A 14-game winner last season, Myers (1-2) allowed one run and seven hits in his fifth start of the year. He also doubled and scored.

The Diamondbacks lost their fourth straight. Knuckleballer Steve Sparks (2-2) gave up five runs in 6 1-3 innings.