Greg Maddux reached the 15-win plateau for a record 17th straight season and also drove in two runs in the second inning to power the Chicago Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League on Friday.
It was the 12th win in 15 games for the Cubs, who are in a dogfight for the wild card with San Francisco and Houston.
Maddux (15-10) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings with six strikeouts and no walks for his 304th career victory. Last year, he surpassed Cy Young's mark of 15 successive seasons with at least 15 wins.
He has also now pitched a total of 201 2/3 innings, reaching the 200 mark for the 16th time in 17 years. Four relievers finished the game, with LaTroy Hawkins tossing a perfect ninth for his 22nd save of the season.
Mark Grudzielanek had two hits and drove in two runs for the Cubs, who play a three-game series against the New York Mets this weekend.
Nelson Figueroa (0-3) surrendered four runs on five hits in two innings and took the loss.
Craig Wilson clubbed a two-run homer for the Pirates while Ty Wigginton added two hits and an RBI. Pittsburgh was swept in a series by Chicago for the second time this season.
In Milwaukee, Yadier Molina's first major league homer, a two-run shot in the eighth inning, earned the St Louis Cardinals a 4-2 win over the Brewers.
Hector Luna also homered and had four hits as the Cards (100-52) chalked up their 100th victory of the season. Cal Eldred (4-2) picked up the win in relief and Jason Isringhausen tossed the ninth for his 45th save of the season.
Geoff Jenkins homered for the Brewers. Matt Wise (1-2) allowed the game-winning homer and took the loss.
In Denver, rookie Jeff Francis delivered six strong innings to inspire the Colorado Rockies to a 7-1 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of a doubleheader.
Francis (3-2) allowed one run on seven hits and had eight strikeouts. Jorge Piedra recorded two hits and two RBI while Todd Helton added three hits and drove in a run for the Rockies.
Brandon Webb (6-16) gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings to take the loss. Robbie Hammock homered for Arizona.
In game two, Jeromy Burnitz drove in the winning run with a 10th-inning single as the Rockies triumphed 2-1 to secure a sweep of the D-Backs.
Allan Simpson (2-1) pitched a scoreless 10th for the victory while Vinny Castilla drove in the other Colorado run.
Randy Choate (2-4) allowed the winning run and took the loss.
In Montreal, Gerald Williams and Victor Diaz homered to steer the New York Mets past the Expos 4-2.
Tom Glavine (10-13) yielded two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings for the victory. Braden Looper tossed the ninth for his 27th save of the season.
Tomo Ohka (3-6) surrendered four runs on eight hits in five innings while Brad Wilkerson cracked two homers for the Expos.
In Miami, Jimmy Rollins homered in the top of the 10th inning as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Florida Marlins 9-8.
Jim Thome, Chase Utley and David Bell also homered for the Phillies. Billy Wagner (4-0) allowed an unearned run on one hit in one inning and grabbed the win while Todd Jones pitched a scoreless 10th for his second save of the season.
Armando Benitez (2-2) gave up the game-winning homer and took the loss. Alex Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera and Lenny Harris homered for the Marlins.
In San Francisco, Lance Berkman thumped a three-run homer in a five-run ninth inning as the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Giants 7-3.
The Giants slipped 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West Division and 1/2 game adrift of Chicago in the wild card race. Berkman notched four RBI, Carlos Beltran had three hits and Dan Miceli (6-6) recorded one out for the win.
Dustin Hermanson (6-7) allowed four runs on three hits in 1/3 inning. JT Snow drove in two runs for the Giants.
In San Diego, Cesar Izturis homered and drove in two runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame the Padres 9-6.
Elmer Dessens (2-6) seized one out in relief in the fifth and grabbed the win while Eric Gagne picked up the last six outs for his 43rd save of the season. Adrian Beltre added three hits for the Dodgers.
Brian Lawrence (15-13) allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits over four innings and took the loss. Rich Aurilia drove in three runs for San Diego.
In Atlanta, rookie Luke Hudson pitched a two-hitter over five innings as the Cincinnati Reds won 3-2 to keep the Braves waiting for the East Division title.
Hudson (4-2) gave up one unearned run with eight strikeouts and three walks. Six relievers finished up, including Gabe White, who claimed the last two outs for his first save of the season.
Jaret Wright (15-8) allowed two runs on four hits over six
innings and took the loss. Julio Franco had two hits for
Atlanta.
