The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Jeff Bagwell, Brad Ausmus and Lance Berkman drove in two runs each, and the Houston Astros shook off Pirates starter Oliver Perez's dominance in the opener, beating Pittsburgh 9-2 for their 13th victory in 14 games and a doubleheader split.

In the first game, Perez ended the Astros' 12-game winning streak with the most dominating start of his short career, striking out 14 in a 3-1 victory - the Astros' only loss since Aug. 26.

Pirates second-game starter Josh Fogg (9-10) didn't offer nearly the challenge Perez did, giving Houston a gift run with a balk while allowing eight runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.

It was a quick return to form for the Astros, who averaged nine-plus runs per game during their franchise-record tying winning streak. The Astros won their 16th in 18 games and 21st in 25 games and are tied with the Giants for the NL wild-card lead.

Mets 4, Marlins 0

MIAMI - Kris Benson pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning, Eric Valent homered and New York ended three streaks by beating Florida.

The Mets snapped an 11-game losing skid while stopping the Marlins' franchise record-tying nine-game winning streak. New York also ended a run of 10 consecutive losses to Florida.

Benson (11-11), who skipped his last turn with a sore shoulder, lasted six-plus innings. He improved to 3-3 with a 6.43 ERA since joining New York.

Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd got the day off, but Valent connected against Ismael Valdez (12-8).

The Mets took a lead for the first time in 60 innings when Mike Cameron doubled in the second and scored on a single by Jason Phillips.

With the area recovering from Hurricane Frances and bracing for Hurricane Ivan, announced attendance was 13,102, but the actual crowd on a sunny, 87-degree afternoon numbered perhaps 4,000.

Following their first defeat since Aug. 26, the Marlins headed to Wrigley Field for a crucial four-game series. Florida and the Chicago Cubs, meeting for the first time since last year's NL Championship Series, are among five teams in a tight race for the NL wild card.

Phillies 9, Braves 4

ATLANTA - Philadelphia overcame a blown lead and a bizarre home run, beating Atlanta with Jim Thome's two-run double and another stellar performance by the bullpen.

Philadelphia helped its faltering playoff hopes by taking three of four games at Turner Field.

Philadelphia starter Cory Lidle had a 22-inning scoreless streak until Chipper Jones hit a three-run homer in the third. The former Red went five innings, giving up eight hits and all four Atlanta runs, but the bullpen picked him up.

Rockies 9, Padres 7

DENVER - Todd Helton had three RBI and Aaron Miles hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the seventh inning to lift Colorado over San Diego.

Jorge Piedra had three hits and scored four runs as a last-minute replacement for Jeromy Burnitz. Royce Clayton had three hits for Colorado, which blew a late lead for the second straight night.