The Associated Press

HOUSTON - Roger Clemens won for the first time in almost a month - the 323rd victory of his career - and Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer to lead the Houston Astros over the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 Monday night.

Clemens (14-8), who left in the fourth inning of his start against the Phillies last week after injuring his right calf, hobbled around on the injured leg throughout much of his impressive seven-inning outing.

But he fought through the discomfort, allowing only two runs and five hits in his first win in five starts since July 28 against Arizona. He also had eight strikeouts - his most since the win over the Diamondbacks - and two walks.

The 42-year-old right-hander trails Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton by one win for 12th on the career list.

Diamondbacks 5, Pirates 4

PITTSBURGH - Alex Cintron's RBI single with one out in the ninth inning lifted Arizona.

Pittsburgh starter John Van Benschoten, a Miford High graduate, hit a two-run homer for his first big league hit, but the Pirates lost their fifth straight.

Van Benschoten, recalled from Triple-A Nashville earlier in the day to make his second career start, allowed four runs - one earned - and six hits over the first three innings. He settled down to retire 13 straight before Danny Bautista's seventh-inning single and finished with four strikeouts and three walks in seven innings. Diamondbacks' starter Casey Fossum, who earned a win over Van Benschoten Aug. 18 at Arizona, allowed four runs - one earned - and eight hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked three.

Expos 8, Dodgers 7

MONTREAL - Giovanni Carrara walked Juan Rivera with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, spoiling Los Angeles' six-run comeback.

Trailing 7-1, Los Angeles scored four in the seventh - keyed by Steve Finley's three-run double off Joey Eischen. In the ninth, Adrian Beltre tied it at 7 with a two-run shot off closer Chad Cordero (4-3) for his 39th homer.

Los Angeles, which began the day with a 4 1/2-game lead over San Francisco atop the NL West, lost its second in a row, and fourth in six to begin a season-high 13-game road trip.

Padres 9, Mets 4

NEW YORK - Phil Nevin homered, doubled and drove in five runs, and San Diego built a big lead for Jake Peavy. Coming off a 2-4 homestand, the Padres opened a 10-game road trip hoping to improve their wild-card position.

San Diego got off to a good start, roughing up newly promoted Aaron Heilman in going ahead 5-0. Mike Cameron rallied the Mets with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, then Nevin broke it open with a three-run shot in the eighth.

Nevin had an adventuresome evening. He hit a two-run double in the first, singled and scored on a wild pitch in the fifth and later added his 17th home run.

Cubs 8, Brewers 3

CHICAGO - Carlos Zambrano took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and struck out nine to lead Chicago.

Moises Alou went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two doubles for Chicago, which has won five of six. Every starter for the Cubs had at least one hit. They moved less than a percentage point ahead of San Francisco in the NL wild-card standings.

The Brewers have lost a season-high six straight.