Expos 5, Braves 4
In Atlanta, Claudio Vargas won his third consecutive start and Endy Chavez and Michael Barrett provided the offense as Montreal remained unbeaten in Atlanta this year.
Third-place Montreal, which began the season with a three-game sweep at Turner Field, moved within six games of the NL East-leading Braves, who have lost three of four and six of nine. The Braves are 16-19 in the NL East.
Vargas (6-3) allowed eight hits and three runs in 7 1-3 innings without walking a batter. The rookie was replaced by closer Rocky Biddle, who gave up a two-run single to Gary Sheffield that made it 5-3.
Biddle got in a ninth-inning jam, but Julio Manon came in to retire Sheffield on one pitch for his first career save.
Barrett hit a two-run homer and Chavez a two-run triple as the Expos built a 5-0 lead. Vargas improved to 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his last seven starts.
Pirates 8, Reds 7
In Pittsburgh, Matt Stairs hit two-run homers off Ryan Dempster in consecutive at-bats and Pittsburgh held off Cincinnati's third comeback attempt in three nights, avoiding another near-collapse by closer Mike Williams.
Williams was brought in to protect an 8-5 lead in the ninth, but the Reds quickly scored twice on Jose Guillen's single, Ken Griffey Jr.'s double, a walk and Aaron Boone's two-run single. Boone drove in four runs.
But Williams recovered to strike out Russell Branyan, then got Kelly Stinnett to hit into a game-ending double play for his 21st save in 25 opportunities. Stinnett also struck out with the bases loaded to end the seventh inning.
Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 4
In Denver, rookie Brandon Webb pitched seven strong innings and Chad Moeller drove in three runs to lead Arizona past Colorado for a split of their four-game series.
Moeller hit one of the Diamondbacks' four home runs. Steve Finley had a two-run homer, and Shea Hillenbrand and Robby Hammock added solo shots as Arizona won for the 13th time in 15 games.
Webb (5-2), who threw a seven-hit shutout against Detroit on Sunday, allowed one run and eight hits.
Padres 7, Dodgers 4
In Los Angeles, Ryan Klesko hit a two-run homer as San Diego sent Kevin Brown to his third straight loss, beating Los Angeles for a three-game sweep.
Gary Bennett doubled home two runs and Adam Eaton (3-7) won for the first time in five starts, helping the Padres extend their longest winning streak of the season to five games -- one more than their longest of last year.
The Dodgers have lost a season-worst six straight games and nine of 10, after winning 10 of their previous 11. They remain 5 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the NL West.



