The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Ricky Ledee hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning and Kevin Millwood pitched seven strong innings, helping Philadelphia beat Florida 2-1 on Wednesday to end the Phillies' nine-game losing streak against the Marlins.

Ledee, starting in left field for the struggling Pat Burrell, also made an outstanding leaping catch on a drive by Damion Easley in the fifth that appeared headed over the wall.

The Phillies, who blew a slim wild-card lead over World Series champion Florida down the stretch last season, hadn't beaten the Marlins since Sept. 18 at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium, losing six straight this season and 18 of 20 overall.

"It's been awhile since we beat them," Millwood said. "It's good to do it in the first game of a series."

Philadelphia moved one game ahead of Atlanta in the NL East. The Marlins are three games behind in a four-team race that includes the New York Mets.

Millwood (8-5) allowed one run and seven hits, striking out six in his second consecutive solid outing after the All-Star break. Millwood, who had a 5.15 ERA in the first half, gave up one run and three hits in seven innings in Philadelphia's 5-1 victory over the Mets last week.

"The All-Star break was a chance for me to get away and not think about baseball," said Millwood, who is in the last year of an $11 million contract and has been the subject of recent trade rumors. "Since then, I've had a lot more energy. My confidence is up."

Tim Worrell retired the two batters he faced and Billy Wagner got the last four outs for his 16th save in 18 chances.

Pirates 4, Braves 3

ATLANTA - Kris Benson made another enticing start before the trade deadline, pitching eight strong innings to lead streaking Pittsburgh.

Tike Redman had three RBI for the Pirates, including a two-run homer.

Benson, in the final year of his contract and unlikely to re-sign with the Pirates, is being scouted by about a half-dozen teams as the July 31 deadline approaches for trades without waivers.

After the first, Benson (8-7) didn't give up a hit until Andruw Jones' opposite-field single with one out in the eighth. The right-hander retired 21 of 22 batters in one stretch, the only Atlanta runner coming in the third when Charles Thomas was hit by a pitch.

Pittsburgh got to Paul Byrd (2-3) for two runs in the first. Jason Kendall led off with a double and scored on Rob Mackowiack's double. Byrd bobbled Craig Wilson's grounder back to the mound for an error, giving Redman a chance to drive in an unearned run with a single to right.

Mets 5, Expos 4

NEW YORK - Nick Johnson dropped a routine throw to first base with two outs in the eighth inning, allowing Ty Wigginton to score the go-ahead run for New York. Shifted from third base to first when the Mets called up prized prospect David Wright earlier in the day, Wigginton reached base five times on three walks and two errors. He also made a nice scoop at first to complete a game-ending double play.

Richard Hidalgo hit a three-run homer for the Mets, who blew a 4-0 lead when reliever Mike Stanton gave up a three-run shot to Endy Chavez in the seventh.