Javier Valentin smacked a three-run homer in a five-run ninth inning off John Smoltz to carry the rallying Cincinnati Reds to an 11-8 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the National League Thursday.
The host Braves needed a win to clinch at least a tie for the East Division title but Smoltz was driven from the mound after getting only one out in the ninth.
Sean Casey had an RBI single and D'Angelo Jimenez added a run-scoring double off Smoltz (0-1), who lost for the first time this season.
Valentin notched four of Cincinnati's 17 hits while Felipe Lopez had three hits and scored two runs. Casey and Jimenez added two RBI apiece.
Phil Norton (2-5), the fifth of six Cincinnati pitchers, seized one out for the win and Joe Valentine tossed the ninth for his second save of the season.
Smoltz was charged with five runs on four hits in 1/3 inning as the Braves used eight pitchers in the game.
Chipper Jones clubbed a three-run homer for Atlanta and Marcus Giles added a solo shot.
In Miami, Pat Burrell's three-run homer led the Philadelphia Phillies to a 12-4 rout of the Florida Marlins.
Mike Lieberthal, Jason Michaels and Placido Polanco added two-run homers for the Phillies. Eric Milton (14-4) allowed one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings for his first victory in more than a month.
Logan Kensing (0-3) gave up six runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss. Mike Lowell, Damion Easley and Chris Aquila homered for the Marlins.
In Montreal, Mike Piazza's RBI single in the eighth inning drove in the winning run as the New York Mets beat the Expos 3-2.
Bartolome Fortunato (1-0) pitched two scoreless frames for the victory and Braden Looper delivered a perfect ninth for his 26th save of the season.
Luis Ayala (6-12) surrendered the winning run and took the loss. Tony Batista homered for Montreal.
In Pittsburgh, Carlos Zambrano tossed 7 1/3 shutout innings as the Chicago Cubs edged the Pirates 1-0.
Zambrano (15-8), who also drove in the only run with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, allowed six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Mike Remlinger claimed the last three outs for his second save of the season.
Oliver Perez (10-10) yielded one run on three hits over seven innings but took the loss, striking out eight batters and walking three.
In Milwaukee, Larry Walker thumped a two-run homer to guide the St Louis Cardinals past the Brewers 3-2.
Woody Williams (11-7) allowed one run on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings for the win and Jason Isringhausen gave up a run in the ninth before finishing up for his 44th save of the season as the Cards landed their 99th victory.
Brady Clark had four hits and drove in both Milwaukee runs. Ben Sheets (11-13) surrendered three runs on seven hits over six innings and took the loss.
In Denver, Jeromy Burnitz homered as the Colorado Rockies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2.
Shawn Estes (15-7) yielded two runs on six hits over seven innings and Shawn Chacon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 35th save of the season.
Randy Johnson (14-14) gave up three runs, one earned, on eight hits over seven innings. He struck out four batters and walked two.
In San Francisco, Noah Lowry tossed a complete game five-hitter to steer the Giants to a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros.
Lowry (6-0) allowed one run with seven strikeouts and one walk. Ray Durham had three hits and drove in two runs for the Giants, the National League wild card leaders.
Roy Oswalt (18-10) took the loss, surrendering five runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. Jeff Kent homered for Houston.
In San Diego, Jake Peavy pitched eight shutout innings as the Padres blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.
Peavy (13-6) gave up three hits, striking out 11 batters and walking two. Phil Nevin belted a two-run homer for the Padres.
Brad Penny (9-10) allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits in three innings in his return from the disabled list.
